Over 1,000 Kenyans Recruited to Fight in Ukraine, Intelligence Report Reveals
- Feb 19
- 2 min read
Kenya’s parliament was briefed this week that more than 1,000 Kenyans have gone to Ukraine to fight for the Russian army, with many reportedly deceived into signing military contracts. The number is significantly higher than the 200 previously reported by authorities last December.
The intelligence report, compiled jointly by Kenya’s National Intelligence Service and Directorate of Criminal Investigations, highlighted that most recruits leave the country on tourist visas. Key transit points include Istanbul in Turkey and Abu Dhabi in the UAE.
Parliament Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah said tighter border controls at Nairobi’s airport have forced some recruits to travel through other African countries to avoid detection. This indicates the growing sophistication of the recruitment networks.
Unlicensed recruitment agencies operating within Kenya are said to be colluding with rogue airport staff to facilitate these departures, according to the report.
Authorities warn this practice exposes young Kenyans to extreme danger.
At present, 39 Kenyans are hospitalised, 28 are missing, and 89 remain actively deployed on the front line in Ukraine. The government has expressed serious concern over the welfare of its citizens involved in the conflict.
Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi is scheduled to visit Moscow next month to raise the issue with Russian officials and discuss the safety of Kenyan nationals. The government has condemned the exploitation of its citizens as “cannon fodder.”
The report also noted that Kenya is not alone in facing this challenge. Other African nations, including Uganda and South Africa, have seen similar recruitment efforts as Russia seeks to replace heavy casualties in Ukraine.
Parliamentarians called for stricter oversight of travel agencies, improved airport security, and public awareness campaigns to prevent more Kenyans from being lured into the conflict abroad.
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