Kenyan authorities have revealed the existence of an organized network allegedly involving government officials, security personnel, and immigration officers accused of facilitating the recruitment of Kenyan citizens to fight in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
The findings were disclosed on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, during a parliamentary review of a human trafficking report compiled jointly by the country’s intelligence services and criminal investigations agencies.
According to lawmakers, more than 1,000 Kenyan nationals are believed to have been recruited and deployed to fight, mostly on Russia’s side of the conflict.
Kimani Ichung’wah, a member of Kenya’s National Assembly, stated that individuals from multiple institutions — including security agencies, intelligence services, immigration departments, and diplomatic channels — were suspected of working together in the trafficking scheme.
He said many recruits were lured with promises of high salaries and foreign citizenship.
Reports indicate that those recruited were offered monthly payments of about 350,000 Kenyan shillings (roughly equivalent to several hundred thousand Rwandan francs).
Many of the individuals reportedly include former security officers and unemployed civilians seeking economic opportunities.
Ichung’wah criticized the situation, stressing that Kenya’s diplomatic missions should serve as safe support centers for citizens abroad rather than being linked to exploitation networks.
The Russia–Ukraine war, now entering its fourth year, has increasingly drawn foreign fighters, including a notable number from African countries.
Recent reports suggest that at least 1,417 African nationals from 35 countries have been identified as participants in the conflict, with the majority believed to be fighting on the Russian side.
Kenyan authorities say the revelations highlight rising concerns about organized human trafficking networks exploiting economic hardships to recruit vulnerable individuals for foreign conflicts.
Investigations are ongoing as lawmakers push for stronger oversight, accountability measures, and protection systems to prevent further recruitment.
KIGALI TIMES