Russia agrees to stop using Kenyan recruits in Ukraine conflict, Kenya says

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete March 16, 2026 at 03:09 PM

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Kenya's Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi announced that Russia has agreed to stop recruiting Kenyan nationals to fight in the war in Ukraine. This agreement followed talks in Moscow where Mudavadi met with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov. The Kenyan government has been under pressure to address the issue after reports indicated that over 1,000 Kenyans were recruited, sometimes under false pretenses of civilian jobs, to fight for Russia. Mudavadi is also seeking the repatriation of Kenyans who wish to return home, with 27 already repatriated and receiving support. While Lavrov insisted foreign fighters joined voluntarily, Mudavadi emphasized the broader relationship between Kenya and Russia beyond the conflict in Ukraine, aiming to negotiate easier access for Kenyans to the Russian job market.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Nairobi 30% Africa 30% Oscar Ojiambo Mutoka 40% Charles Ojiambo Mutoka 40% BBC 40% Kenyan Intelligence 50% Sergei Lavrov ×260% Musalia Mudavadi ×570% Ukraine ×880% Russia ×1090% Kenya ×1290%

Keywords

kenyan recruits 90% russia 80% ukraine conflict 80% recruitment 70% repatriation 60% foreign fighters 60% musalia mudavadi 50% job market 50% human trafficking 40%