Kenya threatens legal action against citizens fighting for Russia

Kenya has warned that citizens who enlist in foreign conflicts could face prosecution, following the repatriation of 47 Kenyans recruited to fight for Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Speaking to lawmakers on April 1, Foreign Secretary Musalia Mudavadi emphasised that Kenya’s penal code prohibits citizens from serving in the military, police, or other armed forces of foreign countries without government approval, Bloomberg reports.

The majority of Kenyans who enlisted to fight in the Russia-Ukraine conflict “went there with full knowledge and willingly,” Mudavadi said. He noted that recruits had signed contracts offering incentives, including sign-on bonuses of up to 3 million shillings ($23,000) and the promise of Russian citizenship.

“Once it is established they have been involved in this exercise, they stand to face the full force of the law for engaging in criminal activities,” he added.

The government estimates that up to 1,000 Kenyans were recruited to fight for Russia by “rogue agencies.” Authorities have de-registered 600 private recruitment agencies involved in the illegal enlistment. Mudavadi said an amnesty would be offered to encourage recruits to return voluntarily.

Russia recently agreed to halt the recruitment of Kenyans amid growing concern in African countries over Moscow’s overseas enlistment to support its manpower-strapped military. Reports indicate that at least 316 African fighters have been killed in the conflict, many with minimal military training.

In Kenya’s case, at least 10 citizens are feared dead, with the number potentially rising as some casualties remain unverified. Another 38 injured Kenyans are in hospital, and two are being held as prisoners of war in Ukraine, with authorities working to secure their release.