Kenya, Russia agree to stop recruitment of Kenyans into Russian military

MOSCOW — Kenya and Russia have agreed to stop the recruitment of Kenyan citizens into the Russian military, following talks between President William Ruto and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Kenya’s State House said.

The agreement designates Kenya as a non-source country for recruitment into the Russian armed forces, effectively closing channels through which Kenyan nationals have been enlisted to fight in Russia’s war against Ukraine, according to a statement issued after the meeting at the Kremlin on Thursday.

Ruto said Putin had confirmed that Kenyans would no longer be recruited into the Russian military. The Kenyan president also announced the appointment of a defense attaché at the country’s embassy in Moscow to coordinate with Russia’s Defense Ministry on the return of Kenyans who had travelled to Russia for military purposes.

The defense attaché will also work with Russian authorities to facilitate compensation for affected Kenyans and assist with their safe return, Ruto said.

The agreement comes amid growing concern in Kenya over reports that citizens were recruited to fight for Russia, with some reportedly killed, missing or captured in the conflict.

Kenyan officials have previously said some nationals were lured to Russia with promises of civilian employment before being enlisted into military service.

During the meeting, the two presidents also discussed broader economic and diplomatic cooperation. Ruto said the countries would negotiate a bilateral labor agreement to provide a framework for Kenyans seeking to live and work in Russia.

The leaders also discussed increasing scholarships for Kenyan students in Russia from 70 to 300, covering fields including health, artificial intelligence, technology, aviation and cybersecurity.

Ruto said the two countries had also agreed to establish a joint commission to strengthen economic cooperation. He invited Putin to visit Kenya.

The announcement follows months of diplomatic efforts by Nairobi to address the recruitment of its citizens into the Russian military and secure assistance for those already in Russia.

The agreement and the proposed repatriation arrangements were reported by Kenyan media following the Kremlin meeting.