Kenya and Russia Halt Kenyan Military Recruitment for Ukraine

Moscow, March 16, 2026 - Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi announced on Monday that Kenya and Russia have reached an agreement to halt the recruitment of Kenyan nationals into the Russian military for the conflict in Ukraine, following talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow.

Mudavadi, speaking after the discussions, emphasized that Kenyan citizens would no longer be eligible for enlistment through the Russian Ministry of Defence. "There will be no further enlisting," he stated, adding that consular services would be available through diplomatic channels for Kenyans in Russia requiring assistance. He stressed that the partnership between Nairobi and Moscow extends far beyond the Ukraine situation, encompassing broader economic and diplomatic ties.

Lavrov, for his part, noted that Kenyan recruits had joined voluntarily by signing contracts with the Russian army. The agreement comes amid growing concerns in Kenya over the welfare of its citizens involved in what Russia terms its special military operation in Ukraine.

A Kenyan intelligence report presented to lawmakers in February estimated that more than 1,000 Kenyans had been recruited to fight on...