NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenyan government has revealed that at least 252 citizens may have been recruited into military operations linked to the Russia, raising fresh concerns over the growing involvement of foreign nationals in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi told Parliament that 47 Kenyans have so far been rescued and repatriated through the intervention of Kenya’s embassy in Moscow.
Presenting a statement to the National Assembly on April 1, Mudavadi cautioned that the number of those enlisted could be higher, as verification efforts remain ongoing.
“The data from our Embassy in Moscow indicate that approximately 252 Kenyans may have been enlisted in the Russian special military operations. The number could be higher, but the exact figure is yet to be conclusively established. To date, 47 Kenyans have been rescued, with the Kenyan Embassy in Moscow facilitating their safe repatriation home,” he said.
The government also confirmed that two Kenyans are currently being held by Ukrainian authorities as prisoners of war, with Nairobi engaging Kyiv to secure their safety and eventual return.
Officials say the recruitment is largely driven by transnational networks involving unregistered agencies and individuals operating across Kenya, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. These networks reportedly exploit tourist visas and indirect travel routes to bypass scrutiny.
Mudavadi noted that those targeted include former security personnel and unemployed youth, although some Kenyans working in the Middle East have voluntarily left their jobs to join the operations.
“Contrary to prevailing reports, the majority of those enlisted did so willingly and with full knowledge, having signed contracts either as logistics personnel or for combat roles,” he said.
Authorities say the promise of lucrative pay has been a key driver, with recruits reportedly offered a one-time payment of up to Sh1.5 million, monthly earnings ranging between Sh50,000 and Sh350,000, and in some cases the prospect of foreign citizenship.
The revelations come against the backdrop of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which has drawn increasing scrutiny over the use of foreign fighters and private recruitment networks.
Following an official visit to Moscow in March, Mudavadi said Kenya had secured several commitments from Russian authorities aimed at curbing the recruitment of Kenyan nationals.
These include placing Kenya on a stop list to prevent further enlistment, facilitating consular access to affected individuals, supporting voluntary disengagement from military service, and expediting compensation to families through diplomatic channels.
Both countries have also agreed to pursue a bilateral labour agreement to create regulated and safer employment pathways for Kenyans seeking opportunities in Russia.
Also Read: Kenya rescues 20 youths lured into overseas job scams
Back home, the government has intensified enforcement measures, including shutting down more than 600 unlicensed recruitment agencies and strengthening oversight through the National Employment Authority.
Additional measures include the establishment of a 24-hour verification call centre, enhanced pre-departure screening, airport-based labour desks, and closer coordination between immigration and security agencies.
Mudavadi also signalled planned legal reforms, including stricter penalties for illegal recruitment and Kenya’s accession to international conventions aimed at combating mercenarism.
The issue reflects a broader global trend in which economically vulnerable individuals are increasingly targeted by recruitment networks linked to foreign conflicts.
Kenya’s response underscores growing concern over the safety of its citizens abroad and the need for tighter regulation of overseas employment channels.
“We shall continue to ensure that the welfare and rights of our nationals abroad are protected,” Mudavadi told the House.
