The Russian Embassy in Nairobi has denied allegations that it or Russian authorities recruited Kenyans to fight in Ukraine.
The embassy stressed that any Kenyan participation in the conflict is entirely voluntary and conducted under Russian law, while reaffirming its openness to bilateral dialogue with Kenyan authorities.
In a press release dated February 19, 2026, the embassy described recent media reports as a “dangerous and misleading propaganda campaign.”
“The Embassy refutes such allegations in the strongest possible terms,” the statement said.
It was issued in response to public and media accusations suggesting that Kenyan nationals had been coerced or encouraged by embassy staff to join the Russian Armed Forces and participate in the Special Military Operation (SMO) in Ukraine.
The embassy clarified that Russian authorities have never engaged in illegal recruitment of Kenyan citizens in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
It stressed that at no time were visas issued to Kenyans intending to participate in the conflict, and that the embassy has not colluded with any entities to coerce or lure citizens into combat.
However, the statement noted that under Kremlin law, foreign nationals may voluntarily enlist in the Russian military if they are legal residents in the country.
“It must be understood that the legislation of the Russian Federation does not preclude citizens of foreign countries from voluntarily enlisting in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, if they stay in Russia on a legal basis and choose to take part in the battle,” the embassy said.
The embassy emphasized ongoing diplomatic engagement with Nairobi over the recruitment of Kenyan nationals into the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“The Embassy remains open for a constructive and depoliticized dialogue with the Government authorities of the Republic of Kenya aimed both at resolving legitimate concerns of the Kenyan side, as well as at development and formalization of mutually beneficial cooperation,” it said.
Officials said that a number of bilateral agreements and protocols, including those related to labour migration, travel arrangements, and coordination between national law enforcement and security agencies, have been under discussion for several years.
“Their soonest finalization would be of great benefit in establishing due framework for Russia-Kenya collaboration on this and other matters,” the release stated.
The embassy’s statement came amid growing scrutiny over reports that some Kenyan nationals had traveled to Russia and taken part in military operations in Ukraine.
Intelligence reports to Parliament reveal that more than 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited through irregular networks to join Russian military forces.
According to a classified National Intelligence Service (NIS) and Directorate of Criminal Investigations report tabled in the National Assembly, recruits have been enticed with promises of lucrative jobs and travel on tourist visas before being taken to Russia and redirected to military training camps.
The intelligence briefing indicates that the bulk of those targeted include former military and police personnel, as well as unemployed civilians aged in their mid‑20s and older, drawn by offers of monthly salaries and bonuses.
The report detailed the toll on those who have joined the conflict: 39 Kenyans are hospitalised, 30 have been repatriated, 28 are missing in action, 89 remain on the front line, and a handful are detained or have completed contracts.
Some returnees have arrived in Kenya maimed or traumatised, having been promised non‑combat roles only to find themselves thrust into training and combat.
Recruiters are said to have used informal travel routes through Istanbul and Abu Dhabi, and when tighter surveillance at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport increased, traffickers allegedly shifted to routing recruits through Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa to evade detection.
The government of Kenya has been urged to take decisive action, with MPs demanding arrests of rogue officials and crackdowns on unlicensed agencies accused of facilitating recruitment.
Nairobi officials have also warned job seekers to verify overseas employment offers through licensed agencies and diplomatic channels to avoid exploitation and jeopardy abroad.
The clarification by the Embassy reaffirms that any such involvement is voluntary and in compliance with Russian law, and distances the Russian state from allegations of orchestrated recruitment.
While Kenyan authorities have reportedly been in contact with the Russian government regarding the matter, the embassy’s release highlights the importance of formal agreements to manage labour migration and citizen engagement abroad, as well as the need for constructive dialogue to address public concerns.
By issuing the statement, the Russian Embassy sought to counter politically charged narratives in Kenyan media, while reaffirming its commitment to diplomatic cooperation and multilateral engagement.
The embassy concluded by reiterating that all participation by Kenyans in the Russian Armed Forces is voluntary and legally permissible under Russian law, while calling for the prompt finalization of agreements that would enhance bilateral oversight and coordination.
