{"id":1827997,"date":"2026-03-15T12:44:41","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T09:44:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1827997"},"modified":"2026-03-15T12:44:41","modified_gmt":"2026-03-15T09:44:41","slug":"kenyans-seek-answers-on-relatives-lured-into-russias-war","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1827997","title":{"rendered":"Kenyans seek answers on relatives lured into Russia’s war"},"content":{"rendered":"

[analyse_image type=”featured” src=”https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76366315_6.jpg”]<\/p>\n

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https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AQKv<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
Russia has reportedly recruited thousands of soldiers from Africa, Asia and the Middle EastImage: Monicah Mwangi\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Kenya’s<\/a> Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi departed for Moscow on Sunday to press Russian authorities to end the recruitment of Kenyan citizens into the Russian military for the war in Ukraine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Kremlin has roped in the nationals\u00a0of dozens of foreign countries for its war effort, with many deceived into thinking they were being hired for civilian jobs.<\/p>\n

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Kenyans seek answers on relatives lured into Russia’s war<\/h2>\n

What will Mudavadi demand in Moscow?<\/h2>\n

The priority for Mudavadi will be to\u00a0locate and free Kenyans who Nairobi says\u00a0were clandestinely recruited by Russia<\/a> and deployed to fight in Ukraine<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kenyan intelligence services believe more than1,000 nationals<\/a> have been lured to Russia\u00a0with promises of well-paid civilian work, only to be press-ganged into becoming soldiers.<\/p>\n

Media reports tell of Kenyans being recruited by rogue agencies before being sent to the front line with limited training.<\/p>\n

A Kenyan Foreign Ministry statement said Mudavadi would request “a safe process for their [Kenyan soldiers’] repatriation” from Russia.<\/p>\n

The ministry said the government’s policy was “to protect Kenyans abroad, by ensuring that they work in a safe working environment and live dignified lives away from home.”<\/p>\n

Mudavadi’s deputy has accused Russia of\u00a0using Kenyans as “cannon fodder.”<\/a><\/p>\n

Russia’s embassy in Nairobi has denied its involvement in the scheme, labeling\u00a0the claims “dangerous and misleading.”<\/p>\n

\"Kenyans
Kenyans held a protest against Russian recruitment tactics outside the Nairobi parliament earlier this monthImage: Simon Maina\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dozens of Kenyans dead or missing<\/h2>\n

Local media reported that at least 18 Kenyans fighting in the war<\/a> have been killed, while 30 others are missing.<\/p>\n

Mudavadi will pressure for\u00a0Kenyans to have easier\u00a0access to the civilian Russian job market, the Foreign Ministry statement said.<\/p>\n

The minister\u00a0is due to meet several members of the Russian government, including\u00a0Foreign Minister Sergei\u00a0Lavrov, on Monday and Tuesday.<\/p>\n

But he is not expected to hold talks with\u00a0Russian President Vladimir Putin<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mudavadi will also give a public lecture at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), local media reported.<\/p>\n

\"Kenyan
Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi is due to meet his Russian counterpart, Sergei LavrovImage: Sebastian Gollnow\/dpa\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kenya buoyed by South African efforts<\/h2>\n

Last month, South Africa<\/a> managed to secure the repatriation of 15 of its citizens who said they were trapped in the eastern Donbas region after being lured into fighting for Russia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Russia has recruited between 18 and 24,000 foreign nationals to take part in what Putin called a “special military operation” in Ukraine, according to Kyiv and media reports.<\/p>\n

Many join voluntarily through official channels, while significant numbers from Africa, South Asia and the Middle East have been lured via deceptive recruitment networks.<\/p>\n

They are then coerced, tricked, or forced into signing military contracts.<\/p>\n

Some 10,000 North Korean<\/a> troops have been actively fighting alongside Russian forces<\/a>\u00a0since late 2024, under a mutual defense pact signed between Pyongyang and Moscow.<\/p>\n

The troops operate under Russian command, often in Russian uniforms with concealed identities. Their presence has drawn international condemnation.<\/p>\n

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Russia accused of tricking foreigners into fighting<\/h2>\n

Edited by: Saim Du\u0161an Inayatullah<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

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Kenya’s<\/a> Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi departed for Moscow on Sunday to press Russian authorities to end the recruitment of Kenyan citizens into the Russian military for the war in Ukraine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Kremlin has roped in the nationals\u00a0of dozens of foreign countries for its war effort, with many deceived into thinking they were being hired for civilian jobs.<\/p>\n

\n

Kenyans seek answers on relatives lured into Russia’s war<\/h2>\n

What will Mudavadi demand in Moscow?<\/h2>\n

The priority for Mudavadi will be to\u00a0locate and free Kenyans who Nairobi says\u00a0were clandestinely recruited by Russia<\/a> and deployed to fight in Ukraine<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kenyan intelligence services believe more than1,000 nationals<\/a> have been lured to Russia\u00a0with promises of well-paid civilian work, only to be press-ganged into becoming soldiers.<\/p>\n

Media reports tell of Kenyans being recruited by rogue agencies before being sent to the front line with limited training.<\/p>\n

A Kenyan Foreign Ministry statement said Mudavadi would request “a safe process for their [Kenyan soldiers’] repatriation” from Russia.<\/p>\n

The ministry said the government’s policy was “to protect Kenyans abroad, by ensuring that they work in a safe working environment and live dignified lives away from home.”<\/p>\n

Mudavadi’s deputy has accused Russia of\u00a0using Kenyans as “cannon fodder.”<\/a><\/p>\n

Russia’s embassy in Nairobi has denied its involvement in the scheme, labeling\u00a0the claims “dangerous and misleading.”<\/p>\n

\"Kenyans
Kenyans held a protest against Russian recruitment tactics outside the Nairobi parliament earlier this monthImage: Simon Maina\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dozens of Kenyans dead or missing<\/h2>\n

Local media reported that at least 18 Kenyans fighting in the war<\/a> have been killed, while 30 others are missing.<\/p>\n

Mudavadi will pressure for\u00a0Kenyans to have easier\u00a0access to the civilian Russian job market, the Foreign Ministry statement said.<\/p>\n

The minister\u00a0is due to meet several members of the Russian government, including\u00a0Foreign Minister Sergei\u00a0Lavrov, on Monday and Tuesday.<\/p>\n

But he is not expected to hold talks with\u00a0Russian President Vladimir Putin<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mudavadi will also give a public lecture at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), local media reported.<\/p>\n

\"Kenyan
Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi is due to meet his Russian counterpart, Sergei LavrovImage: Sebastian Gollnow\/dpa\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kenya buoyed by South African efforts<\/h2>\n

Last month, South Africa<\/a> managed to secure the repatriation of 15 of its citizens who said they were trapped in the eastern Donbas region after being lured into fighting for Russia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Russia has recruited between 18 and 24,000 foreign nationals to take part in what Putin called a “special military operation” in Ukraine, according to Kyiv and media reports.<\/p>\n

Many join voluntarily through official channels, while significant numbers from Africa, South Asia and the Middle East have been lured via deceptive recruitment networks.<\/p>\n

They are then coerced, tricked, or forced into signing military contracts.<\/p>\n

Some 10,000 North Korean<\/a> troops have been actively fighting alongside Russian forces<\/a>\u00a0since late 2024, under a mutual defense pact signed between Pyongyang and Moscow.<\/p>\n

The troops operate under Russian command, often in Russian uniforms with concealed identities. Their presence has drawn international condemnation.<\/p>\n

\n

Russia accused of tricking foreigners into fighting<\/h2>\n

Edited by: Saim Du\u0161an Inayatullah<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Kenya’s<\/a> Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi departed for Moscow on Sunday to press Russian authorities to end the recruitment of Kenyan citizens into the Russian military for the war in Ukraine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Kremlin has roped in the nationals\u00a0of dozens of foreign countries for its war effort, with many deceived into thinking they were being hired for civilian jobs.<\/p>\n

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n

The priority for Mudavadi will be to\u00a0locate and free Kenyans who Nairobi says\u00a0were clandestinely recruited by Russia<\/a> and deployed to fight in Ukraine<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kenyan intelligence services believe more than1,000 nationals<\/a> have been lured to Russia\u00a0with promises of well-paid civilian work, only to be press-ganged into becoming soldiers.<\/p>\n

Media reports tell of Kenyans being recruited by rogue agencies before being sent to the front line with limited training.<\/p>\n

A Kenyan Foreign Ministry statement said Mudavadi would request “a safe process for their [Kenyan soldiers’] repatriation” from Russia.<\/p>\n

The ministry said the government’s policy was “to protect Kenyans abroad, by ensuring that they work in a safe working environment and live dignified lives away from home.”<\/p>\n

Mudavadi’s deputy has accused Russia of\u00a0using Kenyans as “cannon fodder.”<\/a><\/p>\n

Russia’s embassy in Nairobi has denied its involvement in the scheme, labeling\u00a0the claims “dangerous and misleading.”<\/p>\n

Local media reported that at least 18 Kenyans fighting in the war<\/a> have been killed, while 30 others are missing.<\/p>\n

Mudavadi will pressure for\u00a0Kenyans to have easier\u00a0access to the civilian Russian job market, the Foreign Ministry statement said.<\/p>\n

The minister\u00a0is due to meet several members of the Russian government, including\u00a0Foreign Minister Sergei\u00a0Lavrov, on Monday and Tuesday.<\/p>\n

But he is not expected to hold talks with\u00a0Russian President Vladimir Putin<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mudavadi will also give a public lecture at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), local media reported.<\/p>\n

Last month, South Africa<\/a> managed to secure the repatriation of 15 of its citizens who said they were trapped in the eastern Donbas region after being lured into fighting for Russia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Russia has recruited between 18 and 24,000 foreign nationals to take part in what Putin called a “special military operation” in Ukraine, according to Kyiv and media reports.<\/p>\n

Many join voluntarily through official channels, while significant numbers from Africa, South Asia and the Middle East have been lured via deceptive recruitment networks.<\/p>\n

They are then coerced, tricked, or forced into signing military contracts.<\/p>\n

Some 10,000 North Korean<\/a> troops have been actively fighting alongside Russian forces<\/a>\u00a0since late 2024, under a mutual defense pact signed between Pyongyang and Moscow.<\/p>\n

The troops operate under Russian command, often in Russian uniforms with concealed identities. Their presence has drawn international condemnation.<\/p>\n

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n

Edited by: Saim Du\u0161an Inayatullah<\/em><\/p>\n

[analyse_source url=”https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/kenya-foreign-minister-musalia-mudavadi-in-moscow-ukraine-war-russian-army-conscripts\/a-76366201″]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[analyse_image type=”featured” src=”https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76366315_6.jpg”] https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AQKv Russia has reportedly recruited thousands of soldiers from Africa, Asia and the Middle EastImage: Monicah Mwangi\/REUTERS Kenya’s Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi departed for Moscow on Sunday to press Russian authorities to end the recruitment of Kenyan citizens into the Russian military for the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin has roped in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,74],"class_list":["post-1827997","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-dw-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1827997","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1827997"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1827997\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1827997"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1827997"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1827997"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}