Kenya has estimated that around 200 of its nationals are currently fighting in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, on the Russian side, and more could be drawn into the war.
- Approximately 200 Kenyan nationals are estimated to be fighting for Russia.
- Kenya’s President, William Ruto, previously requested Ukraine’s assistance in releasing Kenyans being held in Ukraine.
- Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that Russian recruitment efforts target Africans, with recruits promised financial incentives of up to $18,000.
- Kenyan authorities in September intervened to rescue individuals preparing to engage in the conflict during a raid in Nairobi.
Last week, Kenya’s President, William Ruto, brought attention to Kenyans engaged in a conflict in which the nation has no vested interest.
The president then requested that the Ukrainian government secure the release of Kenyans currently held in Ukraine.
His appeal came in response to mounting distress calls from Africans in Ukraine, who claim they are being recruited to join the Russia-Ukraine war on false grounds.
In response, Ukraine warned that an estimated 1,400 people from three dozen African nations are fighting with Russian soldiers; some of them were tricked into joining.
Andriy Sybiha, the foreign minister of Ukraine, asserted that Russia was pressuring Africans to sign “equivalent to … a death sentence” and called on African nations to alert their people.
However, Kenya’s focus seemed to be on its people being lured to fight on the Ukrainian side, a focus that has now shifted to Russia.
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“I have requested President Zelensky to facilitate the release of any Kenyan in Ukrainian custody. I am grateful to His Excellency for acceding to my appeal,” Ruto said last week, after a phone call with Ukirane’s head of state.
“I had a productive conversation with the President of Kenya, William Ruto. I informed him about Russia’s attacks on people and infrastructure, and I am grateful for his warm words of support.
We are aware of all the fraudulent methods being used and will work more closely to put an end to them,” Zelenskyy stated.
Russia’s $18,000 recruitment of Kenyans
In light of Ukraine’s warnings, as recently reported by Reuters, Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also acknowledged that Russia is recruiting Kenyans to fight.
“Recruitment exercises in Russia have reportedly expanded to include African nationals, including Kenyans,” a statement by the ministry read.
“Over two hundred Kenyans may have joined the Russian military… recruitment networks are still active in both Kenya and Russia,” the statement said.
The ministry also disclosed that Kenya’s embassy in Moscow has documented injuries among some of the recruiters, who were reportedly promised up to $18,000 to cover travel, lodging, and visa expenses.
Around 21 Kenyans who were being prepped to join the war were rescued during a security raid in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, in September.
