Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that more than 200 Kenyan citizens are currently fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, amid reports that recruitment networks continue to target African nationals. The ministry warned that deceptive contracts offered to Kenyans promise high pay but often funnel recruits into combat roles, contrary to initial claims of non-combat work such as drone assembly or chemical handling.
The revelation follows a broader warning from Ukraine, which noted that over 1,400 Africans from 36 countries have been enlisted into Russian forces, often under misleading pretenses described by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha as equivalent to a death sentence. In Kenya, authorities have been actively intervening to prevent further recruitment, including a September security raid near Nairobi that rescued 21 Kenyans poised for deployment. One suspect has been arrested and is facing prosecution, highlighting the seriousness of the ongoing threat.
Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged citizens to exercise caution when responding to overseas employment offers, noting that some recruits have already sustained injuries after being sent to the frontlines. The ministry emphasized the critical role of Kenya’s diplomatic missions, particularly in Moscow, in facilitating safe repatriation for affected citizens. With recruitment networks still active in both countries, officials stressed the need for heightened vigilance to prevent exploitation of economically vulnerable Kenyans and to safeguard their welfare amid the ongoing conflict.