Russia Agrees to Stop Sending Kenyans to War

Kenya announced that it has reached an agreement with Moscow to end the recruitment of Kenyan citizens to fight for Russian forces in Ukraine. The announcement came during a meeting in Moscow on Monday between Kenya’s Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi and Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Mudavadi said both governments decided that Kenyans will no longer be allowed to enlist through Russia’s defense ministry.

According to Kenyan officials, more than 1,000 citizens from the country have already joined the conflict. Many were reportedly drawn by offers of high monthly salaries and bonuses. Kenyan authorities say families of those who went to fight have been urging the government to step in and provide assistance. Ukrainian officials estimate that over 1,700 Africans in total are currently fighting on Russia’s side in the war.

In response, Kenyan authorities have taken action against hundreds of recruitment agencies suspected of deceiving job seekers with promises of work abroad. Some members of Kenya’s parliament claim that corrupt officials and trafficking networks may have played a role in sending recruits to the battlefield.

Lavrov stated that Kenyans who joined Russian forces did so willingly by signing contracts with the Russian military. Mudavadi said Kenya will still provide consular help through proper diplomatic channels for citizens already in Russia who require support. He also said Kenya hopes its relationship with Russia will center on economic cooperation in areas such as energy, tourism, and agriculture, rather than being defined by the war in Ukraine, which he referred to as a “special operation.”

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