Moscow, Russia – Kenya and Russia have agreed to halt the recruitment of Kenyans to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.
A meeting between Prime Cabinet Secretary (CS) Musalia Mudavadi and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov ratified that Kenyans will no longer be enlisted in the Russian special military operation in the ongoing war with Ukraine.
Speaking in Moscow on Monday, March 16, during the bilateral visit to Russia, Mudavadi noted that their discussions focused on the urgent issue of Kenyan citizens recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.
What Moscow agreed on Kenyans in Russia military
“While the primary focus of the pre-visit announcements was the deepening of bilateral ties, the urgent issue of Kenyan citizens recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war was a central topic of discussion,” said Mudavadi
CS Mudavadi emphasized that it is against Kenyan law for Kenya national to enlist in foreign military services and urged for disengagement of those Kenyans national currently in active service in Russia Special Military Operations and their safe repatriation especially the injured, or deceased in the conflict.
Lavrov said joining the special operations was voluntary and that the defense was terminating all the contracts .
The Russian top envoy refuted allegations that Russian President Vladimir Putin decreed conscription of soldiers from global south that included Africa.
He termed the allegations as strange and that the listing was based on interests from partner states with labor migration agreements .
Lavrov categorically dismissed as strange allegations that Kenyan women were recruited to work in a drive firm in Allubaga.
The Russian government agreed to:
- Facilitate consular access to Kenyan nationals in hospitals and other civilian facilities, to support the repatriation of the injured and the dignified return of the remains of those who have lost their lives.
- Disengage Kenyans who are currently in the operations and unwilling to continue in the assignment and to expedite applicable compensation processes through appropriate diplomatic channels.
- Put Kenya on the (STOP LIST) on the enlisting of its nationals to fight in the Russia – Ukraine war, because under the Kenyan law it is illegal for Kenyans to be conscripted into foreign armies unless they are citizens of that country. Section 68 of the Kenyan penal code Cap 63 outlaws the enlistment of Kenyan nationals in military or armed forces of any foreign state without written authority of the President of Kenya. The offence attracts up to 10 years imprisonment unless the courts is satisfied that the enlistment in not voluntary.
Begin information sharing between the government of Kenya and that of the Russian Federation in an effort to thwart human trafficking and smuggling.
The prime CS revealed that there are two hundred and fifty-two Kenyans had been conscripted into Russian Special Military Operations against Ukraine.
They are believed to be former members of the disciplined services, including the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, the National Youth Service, and the Prisons Service.
“We note through our Mission in Moscow that forty-four of our nationals have been safely repatriated back home while ten have been reported missing in action/killed in action, thirty-eight are currently hospitalized in various Russian hospitals under restricted access, leaving one hundred and sixty officers actively involved in the Special Military Operations,” he added.
The Russian Authorities confirmed ten Kenyans are reported to be Missing In Action/ Killed In Action, and have requested for details of their next of kin to facilitate compensation.
The meeting also focused on bilateral engagement, where Kenya and Russia agreed to work on broader investment including expanding scholarships, air service agreements, tourism and expand energy capacity with specific commitments to nuclear.
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