Kenya’s parliament has been presented with a troubling intelligence assessment alleging that hundreds of young Kenyans were lured abroad with job offers, only to end up on the battlefields of Ukraine.
According to the National Intelligence Service report tabled on Wednesday, about 1,000 Kenyans were recruited under the guise of employment opportunities in Russia. Once there, they were reportedly deployed to fight on Russia’s side in the war.
Parliamentary Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah told lawmakers that the scheme relied on false promises of skilled work and tourist visas. He alleged that officials at the Russian embassy in Kenya worked with local recruitment agencies to convince applicants they would secure legitimate jobs. The report outlines the agencies said to have facilitated the departures.
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The Russian Embassy in Kenya rejected the claims a day later. In a statement, it said it had not granted visas to individuals travelling to Russia for combat in Ukraine. It added: “the Russian Federation does not preclude citizens of foreign countries from voluntarily enlisting in the armed forces.”
❗️Press release of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Kenya on reports around participation of Kenyan citizens in the conflict in Ukraine pic.twitter.com/gZCCtYY2Fs
— Russian Embassy in Kenya/Посольство России в Кении (@russembkenya) February 19, 2026
Ichung’wah cited figures from the intelligence brief, saying 89 Kenyans were serving on the front line. Thirty-nine had been hospitalized, 28 were listed as missing in action, several had returned home, and at least one death had been confirmed. He cautioned that any Kenyan diplomatic staff in Russia found to have assisted the operation would face consequences.
The issue has sparked anguish among families. In recent weeks, relatives of those who travelled to Russia have appealed to the government to intervene, claiming some recruits were coerced into combat roles while others are now prisoners of war in Ukraine.
Some of the returnees have described how they were enticed with promises of work as electricians and plumbers. They say they signed contracts drafted in Russian, which they did not understand, and were sent to fight with minimal preparation.
Kenya’s foreign ministry has previously acknowledged the situation and advised citizens to exercise caution when pursuing overseas employment offers.
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Last year, authorities arrested two alleged recruiters in connection with the operation. They were later released on bail and are awaiting trial, the AP reported.
