Recent reports indicate that at least 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited to participate in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine on behalf of Russia. This alarming trend has resulted in at least one confirmed death, with several others returning home injured.
The findings, released by the National Intelligence Service of Kenya and reported by BBC and Deutsche Welle, reveal that as of February 2026, 89 Kenyans were actively engaged on the front lines in Ukraine. The report does not clarify the fate of most recruits, but it notes that in addition to those in combat, 35 individuals were sent to military camps in Russia, 39 were reported injured, and 28 are missing.
The report highlights a network of officials in Kenya allegedly colluding with human trafficking groups. Employment agencies are said to have coordinated with various institutions, including airports, immigration services, the Criminal Investigation Department, and the National Employment Authority, to facilitate the movement of these recruits. This information was presented to parliament by Kimani Ichung’wah, the leader of the parliamentary majority.
On February 19, 2026, family members of Kenyans who joined the Russian military protested in Nairobi, holding photographs of their loved ones and urging the government to repatriate them and their remains.
Recruits were reportedly promised jobs abroad as security personnel with salaries of $2,400 and bonuses ranging from $6,200 to $8,300. However, many have found themselves on the battlefield with minimal military training.
In a recent interview with BBC, Kenya’s Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi announced that the government has shut down over 600 employment agencies suspected of making false promises to citizens seeking work abroad. Currently, 27 Kenyans who fought in Russia have been repatriated, and the government is providing them with psychological support.
The Kenyan government is also calling for Russia to prohibit the conscription of Kenyan soldiers.
Various media outlets have previously reported on Russia’s recruitment efforts targeting individuals from multiple countries, including Bangladesh, China, Yemen, Cuba, and several nations in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Last year, a Russian publication identified mercenaries from at least 48 countries fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have captured citizens from Uganda, India, and Colombia, while also discovering deceased Russian soldiers from the Philippines, Kenya, and Nigeria.
A report reveals that over 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine, leading to casualties and injuries. The Kenyan government is taking steps to address the issue by shutting down fraudulent employment agencies and repatriating soldiers.
Source: BBC