Government Confirms Over 200 Kenyans Recruited into Russian Military
Mudavadi further stated that both Kenya and Russia still host active recruitment networks. The Kenyan Embassy in Moscow has reported cases of nationals being injured and others stranded after attempting to join the war effort
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has revealed that more than 200 Kenyans may have been recruited into the Russian military since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022
Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday, Mudavadi disclosed that the ministry has been receiving numerous inquiries from families concerned about relatives allegedly involved in the war
“Reports suggest that over two hundred Kenyans may have joined the Russian military, with some being former members of Kenya’s disciplined forces,” said the CS. He added that recruitment drives in Russia have expanded to include African nationals, among them Kenyans
Mudavadi further stated that both Kenya and Russia still host active recruitment networks. The Kenyan Embassy in Moscow has reported cases of nationals being injured and others stranded after attempting to join the war effort
He cited a September 24, 2025, multi-agency raid in Athi River, where 21 Kenyans were discovered awaiting deployment to the war zone
“One agent was arrested for coordinating the processing of Kenyan recruits under the guise of offering overseas jobs. The suspect is currently facing charges in court for luring unsuspecting Kenyans to join the war,” Mudavadi said
According to intelligence reports, victims were allegedly deceived by unscrupulous agencies promising lucrative contracts of up to $18,000 (Ksh.2.7 million) covering visas, travel, and accommodation
“Those who have been rescued said they were misled about the nature of their work including assembling drones, handling chemicals, and painting without proper training or protective gear,” the CS revealed
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Terming the development “deeply concerning,” Mudavadi urged Kenyans to protect one another from exploitation and to seek overseas employment only through vetted agencies
“To mitigate this, the government continues to encourage Kenyans seeking jobs abroad to do so through agencies accredited by the Ministry of Labour and the National Employment Authority (NEA),” he said
He added that the NEA is mandated to regulate recruitment agencies, ensure ethical standards, provide pre-departure training, and safeguard workers’ welfare, including in cases of abuse or repatriation
