Kenya announced amnesty for citizens who fought for Russia in Ukraine, allowing them to return home without facing prosecution, the country’s foreign minister said, according to Business Insider Africa.
The decision follows diplomatic talks in Moscow, where Kenya reportedly secured a commitment from Russian authorities to halt further recruitment of its nationals into the conflict.
252 Kenyans conscripted in six months – 160 still in combat
Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi said that 252 Kenyans were conscripted over the past six months, with 44 repatriated, 11 reported missing or killed, 38 hospitalized, and 160 still engaged in combat.
“The ongoing trend of Kenyans being enlisted to fight in the Russia‑Ukraine conflict has caused grave concern here at home,” he said. Mudavadi emphasized that those returning would be treated humanely while diplomatic channels continue assisting those still abroad.
Recruitment networks exploited false job offers – Kenya shuts 600 agencies
Kenyan officials said the recruitment exploited misleading promises of civilian employment. Authorities have shut down more than 600 suspected recruitment agencies and emphasized that conscription into foreign armies carries up to 10 years in prison under Kenyan law.
The new agreement aims both to stop further recruitment and to provide a safe pathway home for affected citizens.
Kenya is not alone – over 1,700 Africans from 36 countries are fighting for Russia
The amnesty reflects a broader pattern of Russian recruitment of African nationals for its war effort in Ukraine. Ukrainian intelligence estimates that more than 1,700 fighters from 36 African countries have joined Russian forces since the invasion began.
Many were allegedly lured with promises of well-paid civilian jobs but were sent to front-line combat with minimal training and poor conditions, a practice that has drawn international scrutiny.
Kenya seeks to balance law enforcement with humane treatment
Kenya is seeking to balance enforcement of its laws against participation in foreign militaries with humane treatment of its citizens caught in the conflict. Mudavadi said the government is also working with Ukrainian authorities to identify and return the bodies of those killed and to provide psychological support to returning fighters.
The announcement marks a diplomatic breakthrough for Kenya, while highlighting the human costs of Russia’s enlistment networks across Africa and the continuing international challenges posed by foreign fighters in the war in Ukraine.
