US Report Links Kenyan Officials to Russia Recruitment

A 2026 US trafficking report says Kenyan officials helped recruit more than 1,000 men to fight for Russia as Kenya’s trafficking convictions fell.

NAIROBI, Kenya- More than 1,000 Kenyan men were recruited to fight for the Russian military through collusion involving Kenyan officials, recruitment agencies and Russian government officials, according to the US Department of State’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report.

The report says some men were offered well-paying jobs in security or construction before being pressured into signing contracts with Russia’s Ministry of Defence.

It does not identify the officials involved or give details of investigations into the recruitment network.

The report also describes African women, including Kenyans aged between 18 and 22, being recruited for vocational training before being placed in Russian military drone production facilities.

It cites reports of hazardous working conditions, surveillance, wage and working-hour violations, changes to contracts and recruitment fees paid by workers.

Source: Y News