Kenya Demands Accountability from Russia over Recruitment of Citizens in Combat

Wed Feb 11 2026 01:16:25 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant diplomatic move, Kenya's Foreign Minister has condemned the recruitment of its nationals to fight in the Ukraine war, branding it as 'unacceptable' and urgently seeking dialogue with Russia to address the situation.

Kenya's government is taking a stand against the recruitment of its citizens for military service in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi criticized the clandestine practices leading to the enlistment of Kenyans and announced plans to engage with Russia to prevent future occurrences. The Kenyan authorities have already shut down over 600 illegal recruitment agencies and aim to establish a formal agreement with Russia to protect its citizens. While reports indicate approximately 200 Kenyans may have been enlisted, the exact figures remain uncertain amidst ongoing efforts to repatriate those affected.

Kenya's Foreign Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, has called for discussions with Russian officials regarding the alarming trend of its nationals being recruited to fight in the war in Ukraine. He labeled the practice as 'unacceptable and clandestine' and highlighted that the Kenyan government has already taken measures to combat illegal recruitment, shutting down over 600 agencies suspected of engaging in such activities.

It is estimated that around 200 Kenyans have been recruited to serve alongside Russian forces, although the exact number remains uncertain as none are reported to have traveled through official channels. Mudavadi stated, 'Kenya and Russia have had long relations since independence, literally. So this, in my view, becomes a very unfortunate episode of otherwise very positive and cordial relations between our two countries.'

To further safeguard its citizens, the Kenyan government aims to forge a contractual agreement with Russia that would ban the conscription of Kenyan nationals. Efforts to repatriate Kenyans already involved in the conflict are underway, with 27 individuals having returned so far, receiving psychological support and de-radicalization assistance from the authorities.

The urgency of the situation has been underscored by recent discoveries of Kenyan fatalities in the conflict, prompting pressure on the government to take decisive actions. Nonetheless, Mudavadi has emphasized that the blame for the clandestine recruitment cannot rest solely on the government, noting extensive efforts to shut down illegal operations.

Amidst this backdrop, Ukrainian officials continue to warn that those who enlist with Russian forces could be treated as enemy combatants, emphasizing the precarious position of foreign fighters involved in the conflict.

This diplomatic issue poses challenges for Kenya, which seeks to maintain a healthy relationship with Russia while protecting its citizens from exploitation in foreign military conflicts.