Some 200 Kenyans are reportedly fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine, with concerns raised about the ongoing recruitment of more individuals into the conflict, as stated by Kenya's Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi.
Many of those involved are said to be former members of Kenya's security forces. Reports indicate that some recruits have been forced to assemble drones and handle chemicals without adequate training or safety gear.
Following a recent surge in recruitment activities, Kenyan President William Ruto has reached out to the Ukrainian government, seeking the release of Kenyans currently held in conflict zones.
Among approximately 1,400 Africans active in the war with Russian forces, it was noted that recruitment strategies have sometimes involved deceit. For example, a young Kenyan athlete captured in Ukraine claimed he was tricked into joining the Russian army.
Mudavadi revealed that the recruitment networks remain operational in both Kenya and Russia, with some individuals drawn in by promises of high salaries for their participation in the war.
The Kenyan government has expressed significant concerns about the fate of its citizens embroiled in such conflicts and the broader implications of criminal activities associated with these recruitment efforts. Authorities rescued over 20 nationals preparing to join the war in September, while one suspect involved in coordinating these recruitments has been arrested.
