Kenyan government confirms over 1,000 citizens recruited to fight in Russia’s war
The Kenyan government has confirmed that more than 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited to fight in Russia’s war against Ukraine, with many reportedly leaving the country on tourist visas.
Leader of the Majority Party in the National Assembly, Kimani Ichung’wah, told Parliament that the ongoing war has triggered recruitment by rogue agencies targeting former security officers and civilians seeking jobs abroad.
According to a statement from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) presented to the House, as of February, 39 Kenyans are hospitalised, 30 have been repatriated, 28 are missing, 35 remain in military camps, 89 are on the frontline, one is detained, and another has completed his contract.
Ichung’wah said the agencies lured recruits with promises of monthly salaries of about $2,300, bonuses ranging between $6,900 and $9,200, and the possibility of Russian citizenship.
He added that some recruits initially travelled through Istanbul in Turkey and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Following increased interceptions at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), others have reportedly begun routing through Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa to avoid detection.
“For the close to over 1,000 estimated to have gone, not all have travelled from Kenya; some are already in the diaspora who have since moved to go and fight in Russia,” he is quoted by the Standard media.
The Majority Leader also alleged that some rogue airport officials and staff in immigration, investigative agencies and employment authorities may have colluded with recruiters. He further claimed that certain individuals at the Russian embassy in Nairobi and the Kenyan embassy in Moscow were involved in facilitating travel visas.
One of the agencies named in Parliament was Global Face Human Resources Limited, which is not accredited by the National Employment Authority. Authorities previously raided a holding base in Athi River, where passports, unsigned contracts and other materials were seized.
Recruits reportedly underwent about three weeks of training in Moscow before being deployed to the battlefield. Some returnees told investigators they were required to open Russian bank accounts and make payments of up to Sh975,000 (about $7,600) during the recruitment process.
Ichung’wah warned that the recruitment poses serious risks to young Kenyans and could strain diplomatic relations.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
