Kenya secures Russia support to stop recruiting Kenyans for Ukraine war

Kenya has secured an agreement with Russia to stop recruiting its citizens to fight in the war in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi announced on Monday after talks with his Russian counterpart in the Russian capital.

Mudavadi, who also serves as Prime Cabinet Secretary, said the two sides agreed that Kenyans would no longer be eligible for enlistment through Russia’s Ministry of Defence. He spoke alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov following bilateral discussions on 16 March 2026.

A Kenyan intelligence report presented to parliament in February revealed that more than 1,000 Kenyans had been recruited to fight on Russia’s side — five times the previous official estimate. Some were allegedly lured with false promises of civilian jobs or security training before being sent to the front lines.

Ukraine has estimated that more than 1,780 citizens from 36 African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces, according to Ukrainian officials in February. Kenyan politicians have pointed to networks involving rogue officials and human trafficking syndicates as drivers of the practice, which Nairobi has long sought to end.

Mudavadi told reporters the agreement covers the welfare of Kenyans already in Russia, particularly those involved in what Moscow calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine.

“There will be no further enlisting,” he said. Consular services would be arranged through proper diplomatic channels for those needing assistance.

Broader partnership emphasized

The Kenyan minister stressed that relations between the two countries extend far beyond the conflict.

“We do not want for any reason our partnership with Russia to be defined from the lens of the special operation agenda only,” Mudavadi said. “The relationship between Kenya and Russia is much broader than that.”

Lavrov acknowledged Kenyan concerns and said Russia’s Defence Ministry was reviewing relevant cases. He maintained that Russia is not forcing anyone to enlist and that Kenyan citizens had voluntarily signed contracts.

The announcement comes as Russia, facing manpower needs since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has been accused of recruiting foreign nationals from Africa and elsewhere through a mix of financial incentives and deception.

Similar cases have surfaced in other nations, including reports of South Africans aged 20-39 who traveled to Russia expecting training but were deployed to Ukraine’s front lines.

Kenyan authorities continue to monitor the situation and support affected families. The deal is seen as a step toward protecting citizens while preserving wider cooperation in trade, education, energy and other sectors.

AGENCIES