Kenya and Russia Agree to Stop Recruitment of Kenyans into Military Service

Kenya and Russia have agreed to stop the recruitment of Kenyan citizens into Russian military service, following talks in Moscow between senior officials from both countries.

Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary, announced the agreement after discussions with Russian leaders, including Vladimir Putin. He said both governments had reached a shared position to halt the recruitment of Kenyans into military operations.

The issue arose after reports that hundreds of Kenyans had been recruited to fight for Russia in the war in Ukraine. Investigations indicated that many individuals were drawn in by networks promising legitimate civilian employment in Russia. Some recruits later found themselves placed under military contracts after arriving in the country.

A report by Kenya’s National Intelligence Service stated that more than 1,000 Kenyans had been linked to the conflict. According to the agency, dozens have been killed, reported missing, or admitted to hospital.

Mudavadi said the decision to stop recruitment reflects the long-standing relationship between Kenya and Russia, which has developed over more than sixty years. He added that both countries intend to strengthen labour cooperation through formal agreements to ensure Kenyan workers are protected from exploitation and unsafe working conditions.

He noted that concerns had also been raised about employment in sectors such as drone manufacturing, where workers may be exposed to harmful chemicals. Future labour opportunities, he said, should be organised through official frameworks.

“We do not want our partnership to be undermined by special operations,” he said.

Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, rejected claims that Kenyan recruits were misled into military service. He said that foreign nationals who joined the Russian armed forces signed contracts voluntarily. Lavrov added that procedures are available for those who wish to end their service.

He also said that recruits from several countries currently serve in Russia’s military and indicated that Kenya is not the only country affected by the issue. Russian authorities have said that individuals who wish to return home must organise their own travel, as they enlisted independently.