Africa pushes back: Kenya secures deal with Moscow to stop recruitment of its citizens for Ukraine war

When Kenya got freedom from Britain on December 12, 1963, Russia was one of the few countries to recognise its independence the same year. 63 years later, representatives of both countries met in Moscow to sign a pact that disallows Kenyans to join the Russian military.

In his visit to Russia, Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi announced that both the countries have agreed on a deal after which no Kenyan would be allowed to join the Russian army, and to fight on the Ukrainian battleground.

The pact comes in the backdrop of African pushback against Russia's aggressive recruitment of Africans, and making them fight the Ukrainian war. According to reports, over 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited to fight in the ongoing war. Mainly the youths are attracted by monthly salaries of several thousand dollars and bonuses of more than $6,000 for contract soldiers.

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"And I want to make it clear that we have now agreed that Kenyans shall not be enlisted through the (Russian) Ministry of Defence - they will no longer be eligible to be enlisted," Mudavadi said after his meeting with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, as reported by Reuters.

The agreement is seen as a blow to Russia's already strained war effort. In recent weeks, Kyiv's strikes on Russian energy infrastructure have prevented the Kremlin from capitalising on the oil price windfall created by the Iran war.

Russia's recruitment of foreign nationals

Analysts believe that over 20,000 foreign nationals have been recruited by Russian authorities as the war with Ukraine continues with no sight of ending. From Africa alone, Russia has recruited around 2,000 soldiers.

Ukraine alleges that Russia uses fraudulent schemes to lure the foreign victims with no fear of diplomatic repercussion. However, the Russian government has always maintained that it doesn't recruit the foreign nationals.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had held talks with some African nations, warning them of the Russia's illegal recruitment of Africans.

Hiring from India

Even from India, several persons, especially youth, have been illegally recruited by the Russian military. Initially they were hired for security and helper jobs, however later they were deployed in the combat roles in the ongoing Ukrainian war.

On multiple diplomatic engagements, the Indian government has strongly urged Russians to stop recruiting Indians in their Army, and to release those already enlisted.

The Kenya deal is a small diplomatic victory, but it reflects a broader trend: Africa's governments are increasingly unwilling to serve as a passive recruitment pool for a war that offers them nothing.