A report to Kenya's Parliament shows a large group of people are involved. They allegedly help Kenyan citizens join the war in Ukraine. Corrupt officials and trafficking groups are part of this network. They reportedly trick Kenyans into fighting. It is thought that over a thousand Kenyans have been deceived. They were promised money and future citizenship.
This report details how people are chosen. Mostly, it is former soldiers and police. Civilians aged 25 to 50 who want jobs abroad are also targeted. Some recruitment agencies, with help from corrupt government staff, find these people. Staff at the airport, immigration, and police are mentioned. This help allows people to leave the country without being stopped.
The number of people involved is large. By February this year, 89 Kenyans were fighting. One person died, and others came back injured. This is more than the earlier estimate of 200. People were offered about 350,000 Kenyan Shillings each month. This is about £2,000. Big bonuses were also promised.
The report also suggests connections to embassies. People involved may have worked with staff at the Russian embassy in Nairobi. They may also have worked with the Kenyan embassy in Moscow. This could help them get Russian visas quickly. This shows how organized the operation is.
Kenya's government wants Russia's help. They have asked Russia to stop recruiting Kenyans. This shows how serious the situation is. Kenya wants to protect its citizens.
However, the Russian embassy in Nairobi denies everything. They say the claims are not true. They have stated they are not helping recruit Kenyans. This makes the situation more difficult.
This problem is not only in Kenya. Many Africans are reportedly fighting for Russia. Ukraine's Foreign Minister has also spoken about this. The Kenyan report is important. It shows how Kenyans are being recruited. It is bringing this serious issue to the public. An investigation will hopefully reveal more about these dangerous activities.