Kenya to Negotiate ‘Structured Labour Deals’ With Russia to End Illegal Military Recruitment
The Kenyan government has announced plans to pursue structured bilateral labour agreements with Russia in a bid to curb the illegal recruitment of Kenyan youth into the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war, amid rising concerns over loss of life and exploitation abroad.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi confirmed that he is scheduled to visit Moscow in March as part of diplomatic efforts to directly engage Russian authorities on the matter. The visit follows reports that dozens of Kenyans were irregularly recruited and deployed in support roles within the Russian military.
“We have seen loss of lives, and I am planning to make a visit to Moscow so that we can emphasise that this situation must be arrested,” Mudavadi said in a statement issued on Tuesday, February 10.
The move comes after Ukrainian authorities reportedly discovered the bodies of two Kenyans who had been recruited to fight for Russia, reigniting debate over the safety of Kenyan citizens seeking work abroad through unregulated channels. The government has since confirmed that at least 27 Kenyans unlawfully enlisted into the Russian army have been repatriated.
According to officials, the returnees disclosed that they were compelled to assemble drones and handle hazardous chemicals without adequate training or protective equipment, raising concerns over human rights violations and forced labour.
Mudavadi said Kenya intends to negotiate formal labour frameworks with Russia, similar to existing agreements with Austria and Germany, to ensure citizens working overseas access lawful, decent, and protected employment.
“The Kenyan Ambassador to Russia, Ambassador Peter Mathuki, has been in contact with the relevant agencies, and we intend to ensure structured bilateral agreements just like the ones we have entered with countries such as Austria and Germany, where Kenyans get legitimate and decent jobs,” he stated.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary raised alarm over what he described as a growing trend of Kenyan youth being lured into dangerous and illegal work abroad through misinformation, irregular recruitment networks, and false promises of high-paying jobs.
“We are concerned that some even leave the country without informing their families, only for them to fall victim to what is happening on the war front,” Mudavadi added.
While the exact number of Kenyans currently serving in the Russian military remains unclear, the government estimates the figure could exceed 200. Officials maintain that none of those identified travelled through official labour migration channels, a position corroborated by international media reports.
Mudavadi further disclosed that President William Ruto has previously engaged the Ukrainian government regarding Kenyans captured and detained as prisoners of war, with diplomatic efforts ongoing to secure their release and safe return.
Beyond the battlefield, the government has warned of broader risks facing Kenyans overseas, including forced labour, drug trafficking, and other forms of organised criminal exploitation. Mudavadi also cited intelligence reports linking irregular labour migration to human trafficking and illegal organ trade.
“These are desperate situations that expose our young people to exploitation, criminal networks, and even loss of life,” he said.
The planned Moscow visit signals a shift toward preventive diplomacy, with Kenya seeking to understand how its citizens are being recruited, close existing loopholes, and put safeguards in place to prevent future cases.
As Kenya continues to position itself as a labour-exporting nation, officials say structured international agreements, public awareness, and stricter oversight of recruitment agencies will remain central to protecting citizens abroad.
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Kenya to Negotiate ‘Structured Labour Deals’ With Russia to End Illegal Military Recruitment
