PS Njogu: No More Kenyans will be recruited into Russian military special operations
By Emmanuel Rono, March 23, 2026The Kenyan government has successfully secured a commitment from the Russian Federation to cease the enlistment of Kenyan nationals into its military for special operations.
According to the Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Njogu, who addressed the growing concern over the number of Kenyans participating in the conflict following her official visit to Russia, the government has reached an agreement with Russia to halt the recruitment of Kenyans into Russian military special operations.
“What we’re able to establish and to get a commitment from the Russian government is that there will be no more enlisting of Kenyans into the army,” PS Njogu stated.
Repatriation
According to Njogu, the government is now focusing on the welfare and potential return of those already on the front lines. She noted that efforts are underway to facilitate the return of those who are no longer in active service.
“We are also working to be able to see if it is at all possible to bring home those who are injured or who have finished their term,” She explained.
Kenyans active on the frontlines
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, while speaking on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, during an interview with a local station broken his silence on the presence of Kenyans in the Russia-Ukraine war, confirming that 252 citizens are currently active on the frontlines.
Mudavadi said the number could be high, but he can only verify those confirmed at the embassy. He said some went through third-party countries.
“The records we have from the embassy in Russia indicate 252 Kenyans. That is the figure we can verify. There could be more because some individuals went through third-party countries rather than travelling directly from Nairobi to the conflict zone. But without verification, I can only quote what has been confirmed by the embassy,” Mudavadi said.
Musalia Mudavadi has said that Kenyan youth who travelled abroad to fight for Russian forces violated the law, but assured that the government will not pursue legal action against them.
Speaking on Saturday, March 21, 2026, during the International Day of Forests at Maragoli Hills in Vihiga County, Mudavadi said while the actions of the young Kenyans contravened national laws, the government has opted for a more lenient and humanitarian approach, focusing on their safe return and reintegration.
“In Kenyan law, Section 68 of the Penal Code makes it clear that it is wrong for any Kenyan to join a foreign military and get into a war without the express consent of the President as the Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces. Those who went to fight for Russia broke the law,” the Foreign Affairs CS stated.