Kenya’s government has revealed that at least 200 of its citizens are currently fighting for Russia in the ongoing war against Ukraine, with recruitment networks allegedly still active in both Kenya and Russia.
Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi, who made this known at a press conference on Wednesday, said many of those involved are former members of Kenya’s security forces. He added that some Kenyans rescued from the conflict reported being forced to assemble drones and handle hazardous chemicals without adequate training or protective gear.
“Over 200 Kenyans may have joined the Russian military. Recruitment exercises in Russia have reportedly expanded to include African nationals, including Kenyans,” Mudavadi said.
He noted that Kenya’s embassy in Moscow had recorded cases of injuries among some recruits, who were allegedly lured with promises of up to $18,000 (₦26 million) to cover travel, visa, and accommodation expenses.
President William Ruto last week appealed to the Ukrainian government to help secure the release of Kenyans trapped in the war zone.
The disclosure comes amid reports by Ukrainian authorities that around 1,400 Africans are currently fighting alongside Russian forces — many allegedly recruited under false pretences.
In September, a young Kenyan athlete was captured in Ukraine after claiming he had been deceived into joining the Russian army.
Kenyan authorities also rescued more than 20 citizens near Nairobi in the same month, who were preparing to travel to Russia to join the conflict. One suspect accused of coordinating the recruitment has since been arrested and is facing prosecution.
Mudavadi expressed concern over the growing trend of Kenyans being drawn into “forced criminality” abroad, including drug trafficking and forced labour, warning that such activities threaten both national and global security.
The situation is not unique to Kenya. South Africa recently launched an inquiry into how 17 of its citizens ended up fighting in Ukraine’s Donbas region.
Citizens from Somalia, Sierra Leone, Togo, Cuba, and Sri Lanka are also reportedly being held in Ukrainian prisoner-of-war camps, according to Petro Yatsenko, spokesperson for Ukraine’s office on the treatment of prisoners of war.
While Russia has faced criticism for enlisting foreign fighters, Ukraine has also been accused of recruiting non-citizens, including Africans, to join its forces.
