The Kenyan government has raised an urgent alarm this week after 18 Kenyans, who had been sent to fight on the Ukrainian front, were repatriated from Russia. Officials said these repatriations are part of a wider diplomatic effort to assist citizens who have found themselves trapped in Russian military camps.
Government Steps In as Kenyan People Face Hidden Dangers Abroad
Authorities warn that the problem is bigger than these cases. More than 200 Kenyans are believed to have joined the Russian military, with some of them previously serving in Kenya’s security forces. The foreign ministry has also noted that recruitment networks continue to operate actively in both Kenya and Russia. Some of those recruited have suffered injuries, with several reported to be serious.
The government has promised tighter controls on recruitment agencies that offer jobs abroad. Only recruiters registered with Kenya’s National Employment Authority will be allowed to operate legally, and authorities have already removed around 600 agencies from the approved list. Anti-trafficking organizations have long called for stronger regulation, noting that this is not a new problem.
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Reports indicate that recruitment schemes do not just target men for combat roles. Young women have also been lured with false promises, often to work in factories producing military equipment in Russia. In some cases, women aged between 18 and 22 believed they were going abroad for vocational training, only to end up in military drone factories.
Fraudulent Promises and Dangerous Deployments
Officials say recruitment agents have been using fraudulent tactics to convince Kenyans to sign contracts. Many recruits were promised high payments, covering visas, travel, and accommodation, sometimes totaling around €15,000.
Diplomatic communications have revealed shocking details. One man, for example, thought he was getting a job in meat processing in Russia. He paid about 30,000 Kenyan shillings, less than €200, for a Russian visa. The entire arrangement was handled over WhatsApp. Upon arrival, he was sent to a military training camp and later deployed to Ukraine with less than a week of military instruction.
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While the embassy has managed to repatriate a few citizens, at least 82 Kenyans are still believed to be stranded in Russia. Recruits have been sent to camps in cities such as Belgorod, Saint Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, and Istra. Many have no prior military experience and face extremely dangerous conditions. Reports show that some ended up in hospitals with fractures and amputations, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Tragically, there has been at least one confirmed death of a Kenyan on the frontlines in Ukraine. A man from north of Nairobi, who believed he was going to work as a chauffeur, was killed in combat in late October.
African Countries Seen as a Target for Recruitment
This issue affects more than just Kenya. Reports show that Russian networks have also targeted other African countries, including Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, and Uganda, for recruitment. Nationals from countries as far away as Nepal, India, and Cuba have shared similar experiences.
Experts say recruiters see sub-Saharan Africa as a particularly vulnerable pool. This is due to high poverty levels and the strong desire among young people to seek work abroad. Recruiters lure many with promises of good salaries and opportunities. However, these individuals often end up in life-threatening situations far from home.
In one case, a Cameroonian citizen said he believed he was going to Russia to work as a caretaker. Instead, he found himself on the Ukrainian front. He described the situation as dangerous and unfair. He urged others to be cautious to avoid being used in wars they do not understand.
The Kenyan government stated that it is closely monitoring recruitment agencies. It has contacted Russian authorities to raise concerns about fraudulent recruitment and forced deployments. Police in Nairobi have already raided groups being prepared for deployment. They also arrested at least one Russian suspect in connection with these operations.