Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi reponding to questions from MPs on April 1, 2026. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has warned Kenyans against being lured into foreign military operations, revealing that at least 252 Kenyans have been enlisted in Russia’s special military operations, many through illegal recruitment networks. Responding to concerns raised in Parliament on the growing reports of Kenyans being recruited to fight in the ongoing Russia–Ukraine War, Mudavadi said the government has intensified diplomatic and legal efforts to secure the safety of Kenyans already involved while cracking down on rogue recruitment agencies. Mudavadi said that the Kenyan embassy in Moscow indicates that approximately 252 Kenyans may have been enlisted in the Russian operations, though the number could be higher. “To date, 47 Kenyans have been rescued through the Kenyan embassy and facilitated for safe repatriation back home,” he said. He further disclosed that two Kenyans — Evans Kibet and Macharia Willy Munyu are currently being held in  Ukraine as prisoners of war after participating in the conflict. “During my recent visit to Moscow, I engaged the Russian Foreign Affairs Minister and we agreed to explore arrangements for Kenyans detained as prisoners of  war in Ukraine to be transferred to the Russian Federation to facilitate their subsequent repatriation to Kenya,” Mudavadi said. According to the ministry, about 1,000 Kenyan nationals were living, studying and working legally in Russia as of March 2026. Of these, around 300 are students while 450 are engaged in various economic activities and are not facing any threat. However, investigations by the government have revealed that illegal recruitment is being conducted by  unregistered agencies and individuals operating in Kenya, Russia and some third countries, particularly in the Middle East. “They use tourist visas and transit routes through neighbouring countries to evade scrutiny where surveillance is high,” Mudavadi explained. The recruiters primarily target former security officers and unemployed youths seeking lucrative opportunities abroad. Some Kenyans working in private security jobs in the Middle East have also reportedly abandoned their positions to join the operations in Russia. Mudavadi noted that many recruits are attracted by the promise of lucrative financial packages, including signing bonuses ranging from Sh1.5 million to Sh3 million, monthly salaries between Sh50,000 and Sh300,000, and promises of citizenship and hefty gratuities after contract completion. “We want to make it clear to Kenyans that it is not worth it,” he warned. Following discussions with Russian authorities, Mudavadi said both governments had agreed on several measures, including placing Kenyans on a stop list to prevent further enlistment into Russia’s military operations. “The Russian government has also agreed to facilitate consular access by the Kenyan embassy to Kenyans in hospitals and civilian facilities and to work with  Kenya on voluntary disengagement of Kenyans currently involved in the military operations,” he said. The two countries also agreed to expedite compensation processes for Kenyans owed payments and to initiate a labour agreement that will create safe and legal employment pathways for Kenyans seeking work in Russia. Mudavadi revealed that the Kenyan government has already deregistered 600 non-compliant private recruitment agencies linked to illegal labour mobility schemes. “We will table before this House the list of deregistered agencies,” he said. He added that the government plans to amend laws governing labour mobility, strengthen the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act, and establish a multi-agency taskforce involving security, labour and diaspora institutions to tackle trafficking networks. Mudavadi also warned that under Section 66 of the Penal Code, enlisting in foreign armed forces without written authority from the President is a criminal offence. “Those engaging in this activity are participating in a criminal act. The government is extending amnesty to allow those involved to return voluntarily, but anyone found to continue participating will face the full force of the law,” he said. He appeared before Parliament accompanied by Public Service Principal Secretary Jane Imbunya, Coordination PS Ibrahim Mohammed and Diaspora Affairs PS Roseline Njogu.