A total of 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited to fight for Russia in the Ukraine war, according to a Kenyan intelligence report that exposes alleged collusion between rogue officials and human trafficking networks.
Front-line casualties and missing recruits
The report, submitted to parliament by Kenya’s National Intelligence Service, states that 89 Kenyans were on the front line as of February. At least one has died, while dozens have returned home injured or traumatised, and others remain missing or in Russian military camps.
The findings significantly exceed the Kenyan government’s earlier estimate of around 200 nationals involved in the conflict.
Trafficking network and rogue officials
Parliament majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah described the network as “deeply disturbing”, alleging cooperation between recruitment agencies and corrupt airport staff, immigration officers, investigators, anti-narcotics personnel, and employment authority officials.
The report also claims links with staff at the Russian embassy in Nairobi and the Kenyan embassy in Moscow to secure visas for recruits, allegations previously denied by Russia.
False promises and rapid deployment
Investigators say recruiters target unemployed men, former soldiers, and ex-police officers aged 20 to 50, offering monthly pay of up to 350,000 Kenyan shillings plus large bonuses.
However, many recruits reportedly receive only brief training, sometimes just days, before deployment to front-line combat roles. Lawmakers warn that victims are misled with promises of security jobs abroad before being sent into active fighting.
Routes, arrests, and government response
Initially, recruits travelled through Nairobi’s main airport using tourist visas and transited via Turkey or the United Arab Emirates. Increased surveillance later forced traffickers to reroute victims through neighbouring African states.
Authorities continue to investigate suspects linked to the scheme, while Kenya says it has shut down hundreds of recruitment agencies accused of deception. Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi confirmed that dozens of fighters have already been repatriated and are receiving psychological support.
Growing international concern
Pressure is mounting on Nairobi following reports of African nationals killed while fighting for Russian forces. Ukrainian officials warn that foreign fighters supporting Russia will be treated as enemy combatants unless they surrender.
The revelations highlight the expanding global reach of the Ukraine conflict and the human cost for vulnerable recruits drawn into war under false promises – placing renewed scrutiny on the phenomenon of Kenyans fighting Russia.
Source: BBC
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