Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia said Monday that Russia and Kenya have reached an agreement to stop the recruitment of Kenyans into the Russian military to fight in Ukraine. The deal was finalized following a high-stakes meeting between Mudavadi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, aimed at protecting Kenyans abroad”, and deepen relationship” between both countries.
The agreement effectively bans the Russian Ministry of Defense from enlisting Kenyans and shifts the management of Kenyan citizens in Russia to official diplomatic and consular channels. Mudavadi emphasized that Nairobi’s priority is to safeguard its citizens from being lured into the conflict through deceptive employment agencies that promised lucrative civilian jobs but instead funneled recruits to the front lines.
The diplomatic push follows a staggering National Intelligence Service report presented to the Kenyan Parliament in February, which revealed that over 1,000 Kenyans had been recruited for the war effort—five times higher than previous estimates. As of early March, intelligence data indicated that at least 89 Kenyans were actively deployed in combat zones, 39 were hospitalized, and 28 remained missing in action.
While Foreign Minister Lavrov maintained during the talks that Kenyan recruits had signed voluntary contracts, Mudavadi characterized the situation as an “unfortunate episode” driven by human trafficking syndicates and misinformation. The two nations have now agreed to establish a transparent framework for labor mobility that explicitly excludes military service.
Beyond halting further enlistment, the agreement outlines plans for the safe repatriation of Kenyans currently involved in the conflict. Mudavadi noted that the two countries intend to reset their relationship by focusing on cooperation in agriculture, education, and energy, rather than the ongoing war. The move is seen as a significant win for Nairobi, which has faced intense domestic pressure from families demanding the return of their loved ones.
