US Report Alleges Kenyan Officials Worked With Russia to Recruit Over 1,000 Citizens

A US government report alleges that some Kenyan officials worked with recruitment agencies and Russian authorities in a scheme that sent more than 1,000 Kenyans to serve in Russia’s military during the war in Ukraine.

The US Department of State’s latest Trafficking in Persons report states that some Kenyans were recruited through promises of well-paid jobs in construction and private security. However, some reportedly ended up under pressure to sign contracts linked to Russia’s Ministry of Defence.

The report alleges that the recruitment network extended beyond private agencies, with some government officials reportedly helping facilitate the movement of Kenyan citizens into Russia’s military system. The claims raise questions about the role of public officials and the oversight of overseas employment agencies.

The report also criticises Kenya’s handling of suspected human trafficking networks. It states that authorities have not taken sufficient action against some recruitment firms accused of involvement in trafficking. Some agencies reportedly linked to public officials continued operating without facing significant legal consequences.

According to the report, authorities often pursued less serious administrative offences, such as failures to meet registration requirements, instead of bringing human trafficking charges against suspected offenders. The findings also point to possible conflicts of interest within the recruitment industry. 

Citing local media reports, the US government document states that a notable proportion of Kenyan officials have interests in private employment agencies. Such links could complicate enforcement and raise questions about the independence of regulatory oversight.

The report further refers to investigations involving Ministry of Labour officials accused of accepting bribes linked to human trafficking activities. Beyond military recruitment, the document describes other cases in which Africans seeking overseas employment were allegedly exposed to exploitation. Some recruiters reportedly advertised vocational training and employment programmes that led to abusive working conditions.

Young women from several African countries, including Kenya, were also reportedly recruited under the promise of educational opportunities before being assigned to facilities producing military drones in Russia. The report states that workers faced hazardous conditions, close monitoring, changes to their employment contracts, excessive working hours and disputes over wages. Recruitment fees also increased their vulnerability, potentially leaving them exposed to coercion and labour trafficking.

The findings come as the Kenyan government faces questions over the number of citizens who travelled to Russia and became involved in the war in Ukraine.

Appearing before a Senate committee investigating the recruitment of Kenyans for the conflict, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi disclosed that dozens of citizens had died or remained unaccounted for after becoming involved in the fighting.

Government records presented to senators showed that 354 Kenyans had participated in the conflict in various capacities. Some have returned home, while others remain deployed, hospitalised, detained or listed as missing.