A Kenyan intelligence report presented to Parliament on Wednesday alleges that 1,000 Kenyans were recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine after being misled with false promises of employment in Russia.
Parliamentary leader Kimani Ichung’wah told lawmakers the National Intelligence Service found that recruitment agencies, allegedly in collusion with officials at the Russian Embassy in Nairobi, issued tourist visas to Kenyans under the guise of skilled job opportunities.
According to the report, 89 Kenyans are currently on the front line, 39 have been hospitalised, 28 are missing in action, at least one has been confirmed dead, and others have since returned home.
The Russian Embassy in Nairobi, however, denied the allegations in a statement on Thursday, saying it had not issued visas to individuals intending to fight in Ukraine. It added that Russia does not prevent foreign nationals from voluntarily enlisting in its armed forces. Ichung’wah warned that any Kenyan officials at the country’s embassy in Moscow found to have collaborated in the alleged scheme would be held accountable.
In recent weeks, dozens of families have appealed to the government to secure the return of relatives reportedly stranded in Russia, with claims that some were forced to fight while others are being held as prisoners of war in Ukraine. Returnees have described signing contracts written in Russian and being deployed to combat zones with little or no military training after being promised jobs such as electricians and plumbers.
Kenya’s Foreign ministry had earlier acknowledged the issue and cautioned citizens against dubious overseas recruitment offers. Two recruiters were arrested last year and later released on bail pending trial.