Kenya Warns Over Citizens Joining Russia in Ukraine Conflict

(MENAFN) Kenya’s intelligence authorities have told parliament that more than 1,000 Kenyans are currently participating in the war in Ukraine on Russia’s side, raising fresh concerns about foreign recruitment and national security risks.

During a briefing in Nairobi, officials from the National Intelligence Service informed lawmakers of the increasing number of citizens believed to have traveled abroad to join the ongoing conflict.

This figure marks a sharp rise from last November, when Kenya's Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi reported to parliament that roughly 200 Kenyans were involved in fighting for Russia.

Kimani Ichung'wah, the National Assembly’s majority leader, stressed that greater efforts are needed to shield Kenyans from misleading recruitment schemes overseas. He called for tighter border controls and more thorough monitoring of outbound travel to track who is leaving the country and their purpose.

Security officials pointed to unlicensed recruitment agencies as a major factor, noting that some operate without proper oversight and allegedly defraud job seekers with promises of security or construction work abroad. Many recruits reportedly transit through other African nations before reaching Russia, complicating monitoring and enforcement efforts.

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