Russia has recruited over a thousand Kenyans for the war against Ukraine
Kenya’s Parliament has officially confirmed the mass recruitment of its citizens into the Russian army to take part in combat operations against Ukraine.
This was reported by Le Monde.
According to intelligence data, more than 1,000 Kenyans have already been drawn into the war, significantly exceeding previous official estimates by the authorities.
This striking information was disclosed by MP Kimani Ichung’wah, who cited a joint report by intelligence services and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
“As of today, more than 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited and have gone to fight in the Russia–Ukraine war,” he stated during a speech in parliament.
The recruitment scheme relies on the use of tourist visas and promises of exceptionally high wages, far above average incomes in the African region.
Prospective mercenaries depart from Nairobi on tourist documents, travelling to Russia via transit routes through Istanbulor Abu Dhabi.
According to the investigation, Kenyans are promised monthly salaries ranging from €920 to €2,400.
Recruitment is handled by a specialised staffing agency in Nairobi that reportedly works closely with corrupt officials and foreign diplomats.
MP Ichung’wah stressed that the network includes employees at Nairobi airport, national employment services, as well as staff at the Russian Embassy in Kenya and the Kenyan Embassy in Moscow. Such coordination enables the smooth organisation of a flow of “tourists” who in fact become combatants.
The fate of many of the mercenaries remains tragic or unknown due to the high intensity of the fighting.
According to the latest figures, 28 individuals are officially listed as missing, and 39 are receiving treatment in hospitals.
Another 89 Kenyan citizens are directly on the front line, while 35 are undergoing training in camps or stationed at military bases. Only 30 people have managed to return home through repatriation.
It was previously reported that Ukrainian Armed Forces eliminated mercenaries from Nigeria on the front line who had been recruited by Russia.
Russia also recruited more than 150 foreign nationals into its army in December.
