Government Confirms Scale of Illicit Recruitment

NAIROBI, Kenya – More than 200 Kenyan nationals, including former members of the country’s disciplined forces, are believed to have joined the Russian military to fight in the war against Ukraine, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign & Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, confirmed on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. The announcement, made during a press briefing in Nairobi, sheds light on a growing international security issue with significant implications for Kenya.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government has received numerous inquiries from families concerned about relatives who have been caught up in the conflict. Intelligence assessments and diplomatic reports indicate that sophisticated and active recruitment networks are operating both within Kenya and Russia, targeting Kenyans with deceptive promises of lucrative employment.

Deceptive Tactics and Financial Lures

These recruitment syndicates entice victims with financial packages reportedly as high as $18,000 (approximately KSh 2.7 million) intended to cover visas, travel logistics, and accommodation. However, many who travel for these purported jobs find themselves in a drastically different reality. The Kenyan Embassy in Moscow has documented cases of nationals being injured, stranded, or abandoned without proper documentation after attempting to enlist.

Investigations have revealed that recruits are often misled about the nature of their roles. Rescued individuals have reported being promised non-combat jobs such as assembling drones, handling chemicals, or performing painting work, only to be thrust into active military operations. This bait-and-switch tactic preys on the economic vulnerabilities of job seekers.

Kenyan Government's Response and Diplomatic Engagement

In response to the crisis, the Kenyan government has initiated high-level diplomatic engagements with the Russian Federation. These discussions have led to an agreement for the immediate release of any Kenyans being held in military camps without their consent. "The Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has constructively engaged with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in a bid to secure the release of the Kenyan citizens in distress and ensure their safe passage home," Mudavadi stated in late October 2025. Several Kenyans have already been rescued from military bases and provided with emergency travel documents to facilitate their return.

President William Ruto has also been personally involved, requesting assistance from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the release of any Kenyans detained in the conflict zone.

Law Enforcement Action and Regional Context

On the domestic front, Kenyan authorities are taking action to dismantle the recruitment networks. In a significant breakthrough, Mudavadi confirmed the arrest of an agent who was coordinating the processing of recruits under the guise of overseas employment; the individual is currently facing court proceedings. This followed a multi-agency security raid on September 24, 2025, in Athi River, which led to the rescue of 21 Kenyans who were housed while awaiting transit to the warzone.

The issue is not unique to Kenya. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha recently stated that over 1,400 individuals from 36 different African nations are fighting for Russia, often lured under false pretenses into what he termed a "death sentence." South Africa has also launched an investigation after 17 of its nationals, recruited as mercenaries with promises of high salaries, became stranded in the Donbas region of Ukraine. This highlights a broader Russian strategy of recruiting foreign fighters from the Global South to bolster its military ranks.

Legal Risks and Official Warnings

The government has issued stern warnings to its citizens about the severe legal, diplomatic, and safety risks associated with joining foreign armies involved in active conflicts. While the legality of voluntarily joining a foreign military is a nuanced issue under Kenyan law, deceptive recruitment is a criminal offense. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has directed immigration and security agencies to heighten vigilance at all border points and airports to identify and apprehend agents involved in this illicit trade. The Kenyan Embassy in Moscow continues to advise all Kenyans visiting the region to register with the mission and to remain alert to potential recruitment scams.