Kenya and Russia agree no Kenyans will be recruited for Ukraine war

Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on March 16, 2026, amid reports of Kenyans being recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war. Following the talks, Mudavadi announced that Russia has agreed to cease recruiting Kenyan citizens for its army. The agreement addresses concerns about the welfare of Kenyans involved in the conflict. Mudavadi stated that consular services would be provided for Kenyans needing assistance. While Lavrov did not directly mention the agreement, he said the Russian Defence Ministry was investigating cases of concern to Kenya and emphasized that Russia does not force anyone to enlist.

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.