Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has ruled out any form of compensation for Kenyans who were recruited to fight in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War, saying their enlistment was illegal and not sanctioned by the government.

Speaking during an interview with a local television station on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Mudavadi said the government’s role would be limited to facilitating the return of affected Kenyans.

“We cannot compensate those who were lured because they did not announce their departure, they were not sanctioned by the government of Kenya. What we can do is only assist to bring them home,” Mudavadi stated.

Mudavadi, who also serves as Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, emphasized that Kenyan law does not allow citizens to join foreign military forces without express approval from the Head of State.

“One of the things we have to emphasize here is that these Kenyans signed contracts, but we are alive to the fact that we are here to stop the enlistment of Kenyans into the special military operations. Some Kenyans are facing either possible charges or they have had to write statements with some of our investigative agencies in Kenya for having been part of a process and the details are going to emerge as they face the law in Kenya. What has been happening is illegal. We are dealing with a situation where there has been a breach of law,” he added.

Kenyans recruited abroad

Mudavadi’s remarks come against the backdrop of growing concern over the number of Kenyans reportedly recruited into foreign conflicts, particularly in Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine.

In recent months, reports have emerged of Kenyan nationals being lured with promises of lucrative pay, travel opportunities and stable employment, only to find themselves deployed to active war zones. Recruitment networks are said to target young men, many of them unemployed or seeking opportunities abroad, through informal agents and online platforms.

The Kenyan government has previously warned that such arrangements are often exploitative, with recruits signing contracts under unclear terms and facing harsh conditions once deployed.

There have also been cases where families in Kenya reported losing contact with relatives who travelled abroad for what they believed were civilian jobs, only to later learn that they had been enlisted into military service.

Legal and diplomatic concerns

Under Kenyan law, joining a foreign military without authorisation is prohibited, and those involved may face legal consequences upon return. Authorities have indicated that investigations are ongoing to dismantle recruitment networks facilitating the movement of Kenyans into conflict zones.

The government has also been engaging foreign missions and international partners to track affected citizens and explore avenues for repatriation.

Mudavadi reiterated that while the government remains committed to protecting its citizens, individuals must also take responsibility for their actions.