More than 200 Kenyans are currently fighting for Russia in the ongoing war in Ukraine, Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi has revealed. Authorities warn that recruitment networks remain active, both within Kenya and in Russia, placing more citizens at risk.
According to the minister, the group includes former Kenyan security officers, some of whom have reported being forced into dangerous tasks such as assembling drones and handling chemicals without training or protective gear.
The revelation comes days after Kenyan President William Ruto appealed to the Ukrainian government to assist in securing the release of Kenyan nationals trapped in conflict zones.
Ukraine recently disclosed that around 1,400 Africans are fighting alongside Russian forces—many allegedly recruited through deception and false promises.
Mudavadi said Kenya’s embassy in Moscow has documented cases of injuries among Kenyan recruits, who were promised payments of up to $18,000 to cover travel, visas, and accommodation costs.
The minister also expressed concern about a rising trend of Kenyans being lured into “forced criminality,” including drug trafficking and forced labour, warning that such activities pose serious national and global security risks.
In September, Kenyan authorities intercepted more than 20 people preparing to join the war. One suspected recruiter has since been arrested and is facing prosecution.
The BBC and other investigations have noted broader efforts by the Kremlin to expand its influence across Africa, with citizens from countries such as Somalia, Sierra Leone, Togo, Cuba, and Sri Lanka also appearing in Ukrainian prisoner-of-war camps.
Ukraine, meanwhile, has faced criticism for attempting to recruit foreign fighters, including Africans, to join its side of the conflict.