15.3.2026
Kenya’s Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi departed for Moscow on Sunday to press Russian authorities to end the recruitment of Kenyan citizens into the Russian military for the war in Ukraine.
The Kremlin has roped in the nationals of dozens of foreign countries for its war effort, with many deceived into thinking they were being hired for civilian jobs.
The priority for Mudavadi will be to locate and free Kenyans who Nairobi says were clandestinely recruited by Russia and deployed to fight in Ukraine.
Kenyan intelligence services believe more than 1,000 nationals have been lured to Russia with promises of well-paid civilian work, only to be press-ganged into becoming soldiers.
Media reports tell of Kenyans being recruited by rogue agencies before being sent to the front line with limited training.
A Kenyan Foreign Ministry statement said Mudavadi would request “a safe process for their [Kenyan soldiers’] repatriation” from Russia.
The ministry said the government’s policy was “to protect Kenyans abroad, by ensuring that they work in a safe working environment and live dignified lives away from home.”
Mudavadi’s deputy has accused Russia of using Kenyans as “cannon fodder.”
Russia’s embassy in Nairobi has denied its involvement in the scheme, labeling the claims “dangerous and misleading.”
Local media reported that at least 18 Kenyans fighting in the war have been killed, while 30 others are missing.
Mudavadi will pressure for Kenyans to have easier access to the civilian Russian job market, the Foreign Ministry statement said.
The minister is due to meet several members of the Russian government, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on Monday and Tuesday.
But he is not expected to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. AFP
Kenyans and other Africans lured into fighting for Russia against Ukraine.