The Russian government has publicly addressed claims that Kenyan citizens are being recruited to fight in the ongoing war in Ukraine, firmly denying any involvement in such activities.
In an official statement released on February 19, the Russian Embassy in Kenya condemned what it called a “dangerous and misleading propaganda campaign” being spread by Kenyan media outlets and members of the public.
“The Embassy of the Russian Federation has noted with great concern that a dangerous and misleading propaganda campaign has been unfolding in the Kenyan media and public spaces,” the statement said.
The embassy added that reports of Kenyan citizens traveling to Russia, joining the Russian Armed Forces, and taking part in the conflict in Ukraine are inaccurate. It stated clearly that President Vladimir Putin’s administration has never organised or facilitated the illegal recruitment of Kenyans to fight in the war.
The statement emphasised that at no point during the crisis in Ukraine did the Russian authorities issue visas to Kenyan citizens for the purpose of participating in the war.
“The Embassy strongly refutes these allegations. The Government authorities of Russia have never engaged in illegal recruitment of Kenyan citizens in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation,” the embassy said.
However, the Russian government also clarified that its laws allow foreign nationals to voluntarily join the Russian military, provided they are legally residing in Russia and meet all the required criteria.
“It must be understood that the legislation of the Russian Federation does not prevent citizens of foreign countries from voluntarily enlisting in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation,” the embassy added, noting that this is a legal and voluntary process.
The Russian Embassy concluded by calling for constructive dialogue with President William Ruto’s administration, suggesting that bilateral talks could help address the issue and avoid misunderstandings.
This statement came just a day after the National Intelligence Service (NIS) of Kenya reported that around 1,000 Kenyans have so far joined Russia in the Ukraine war. According to the NIS report presented to parliament on February 18, 89 Kenyans were confirmed to be on the frontlines of the conflict as of February this year.
The report further revealed that at least one Kenyan has died in the conflict, while others have returned home either injured or suffering psychological trauma.
Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah, who publicly read the NIS report, alleged that some recruitment agencies may have collaborated with staff at the Russian Embassy in Nairobi to help Kenyan recruits obtain visas to Russia.
While the embassy reiterated that Russia’s government has never organised illegal recruitment, it did acknowledge that foreign nationals can join its military voluntarily, stressing that any such enlistment is legal and follows Russian regulations.
The situation has sparked concern in Kenya, as questions remain about how citizens were recruited and whether their safety and rights were adequately protected.
The call for dialogue between the two governments may pave the way for further investigations and clearer measures to ensure that Kenyan citizens are not exploited or misled in foreign conflicts.
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