Kenyan Report Reveals Over 1,000 Citizens Fighting for Russia

A Kenyan intelligence report presented to parliament this week has revealed that more than 1,000 citizens have been recruited to fight for Russia in its war against Ukraine, far exceeding previous government estimates. The document, from the National Intelligence Service, details a network of deceptive recruitment practices targeting desperate job seekers and was read aloud by Parliament Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah during a session on Wednesday.

The report accuses unlicensed recruitment agencies in Kenya of colluding with rogue officials from government bodies, including immigration services, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and the National Employment Authority, to facilitate the departures. Recruiters have promised monthly salaries of about 350,000 Kenyan shillings, equivalent to roughly $2,715, along with bonuses up to 1.2 million shillings and eventual Russian citizenship. Targets include former military personnel, police officers, and unemployed individuals aged 20 to 50, many of whom signed contracts in Russian without full understanding.

According to the report, recruits initially receive tourist visas from the Russian embassy in Nairobi and travel via...