The government of Kenya has called on Russian authorities to stop recruiting Kenyan nationals to fight in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The call comes after reports revealed that at least 200 Kenyans have been recruited to fight for Russia.
Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi told the media on Tuesday that Kenya will confront Russia over the recruitment of Kenyan nationals into the Ukraine war, describing the practice as “unacceptable and clandestine.”
He said Nairobi had shut down illegal recruiters and would urge Moscow to sign a deal banning the conscription of Kenyan for fight in the conflict in Ukraine.
The exact number of Kenyans recruited by Russia remains unclear, as Nairobi maintains that none of them travelled through official channels.
Mudavadi said Kenya will discuss the matter with the Russian authorities with special focus on curbing illegal recruitment practices especially military conscription.
Kenya had closed more than 600 recruitment agencies suspected of luring Kenyans with promises of jobs overseas.
So far, 27 Kenyans who had been fighting in Russia have been repatriated, he said, with psychological care being provided to address their trauma and “de-radicalise” them.
It is not clear how many Kenyans have died fighting alongside Russian soldiers in Ukraine.
Moscow has not formally addressed such reports.
MG/as/APA