An intelligence report presented to Kenya’s parliament alleges that more than 1,000 Kenyan nationals were recruited to fight for Russian forces in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
According to the findings, recruiters—described as operating through private networks—targeted former military personnel and police officers with promises of high salaries and potential citizenship. The report suggests that some individuals travelled through third countries before reaching Russia.
The Russian embassy in Nairobi has denied involvement in any organized recruitment effort, calling such claims misleading. Kenyan officials have not publicly confirmed how many citizens may currently be involved in the conflict. The revelations have sparked debate within Kenya about oversight of foreign military recruitment and the risks facing citizens drawn into overseas conflicts.
