By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Kenyan authorities on Wednesday said over 200 of its nationals are fighting for Russia in Moscow’s war in Ukraine, confirming Kyiv position that Moscow relies on external assistance to prosecute the war that broke out since 2022.
Kenya added that recruiting agencies are still actively working to lure more Kenyans into the conflict.
“Recruitment exercises in Russia have reportedly expanded to include African nationals, including Kenyans,” Kenya’s ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement.
“Over two hundred Kenyans may have joined the Russian military… recruitment networks are still active in both Kenya and Russia,” the statement said.
According to the ministry, Kenya’s embassy in Moscow has recorded injuries among some of the recruits, who were allegedly promised up to $18,000 to cover costs for visas, travel, and accommodation.
Ukraine had last week noted that more than 1,400 citizens from three dozen African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine with some recruited through deception.
Russia was enticing Africans to sign contracts, which Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andriy Sybiha described as “equivalent to … a death sentence”, urging African governments to caution their citizens.
A security raid carried out near Nairobi in September rescued 21 Kenyans who, the ministry said, were being prepared for deployment to the war in Russia.
A key suspected recruiter was arrested and is facing prosecution in connection with the incident.
According to the Kenya’s foreign ministry, those rescued had been misled about the nature of the job they were being recruited for, believing it was for non-combat roles such as assembling drones, handling chemicals and painting.
