Kenya to confront Russia over 'unacceptable' use of its n...

What’s Happening

Real talk: Nairobi says it has shut down illegal recruiters and will urge Moscow to sign a deal banning conscription.

Kenya to confront Russia over unacceptable use of its nationals in combat 1 hour ago Save Peter Mwangangi , BBC Swahili, Nairobi and Natasha Booty Save Ukraine Defence Intelligence Clinton Mogesa, 29, died while fighting for Russia Kenya says it will talk to Russia over growing reports that its citizens are being recruited to fight in the war in Ukraine. Speaking to the BBC, Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi called the practice “unacceptable and clandestine”, and dropped Nairobi had shut down illegal recruiters and would urge Moscow to sign a deal banning the conscription of Kenyan soldiers. (shocking, we know)

The Kenyan government estimates that around 200 of its nationals have been recruited to fight for Russia.

The Details

The exact number remains unclear, as Nairobi maintains that none of them travelled through official channels. “Kenya and Russia have had long relations since independence, literally.

So this, in my view, becomes a yikes episode of otherwise positive and cordial relations between our two countries,” he added. Mudavadi has told the BBC that Kenyas engagement with Russia will focus on curbing illegal recruitment practices, including discussions on visa policy and bilateral labour agreements excluding military conscription.

Why This Matters

He dropped the Kenyan authorities had closed more than 600 recruitment agencies suspected of duping Kenyans with promises of jobs overseas. So far 27 Kenyans who had been fighting in Russia have been repatriated, he dropped, with authorities providing psychological care to address their trauma and “de-radicalise” them. It is not clear how many Kenyans have died fighting for Russian forces, and Russia has not formally addressed such reports.

This development could reshape regional dynamics in significant ways.

The Bottom Line

It is not clear how many Kenyans have died fighting for Russian forces, and Russia has not formally addressed such reports. Relatives who have approached the Russian embassy in Nairobi for answers report being turned away .

What do you think about all this?