Kenyan President William Ruto announced on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to stop enlisting Kenyan citizens into the Russian military. Ruto stated that Kenya is now designated as a non-source country for military recruitment.
The agreement addresses growing concerns about Kenyans joining Russian forces in Ukraine. Ruto revealed he has appointed a defence attache to the Kenyan Embassy in Moscow to coordinate directly with the Russian Defence Ministry.
This official will manage the repatriation and compensation of any Kenyans previously recruited for military purposes. The attache will also facilitate the safe return of these individuals.
The talks followed the Russia-Africa Summit, where Moscow has sought to strengthen partnerships across the continent. Both leaders agreed to negotiate a formal labor agreement enabling Kenyans to live and work legally in Russia.
Educational ties were also central to the discussions. Putin agreed to increase Russian scholarships for Kenyan students from 70 to 300, targeting fields such as healthcare, artificial intelligence, aviation, technology, and cybersecurity.
Ruto said Putin pledged support for expanding the United Nations Office in Nairobi, the only UN headquarters in the developing world.
Kenya and Russia signed five cooperation instruments during the visit. These cover economic relations, employment promotion, labor inspection, transport, diplomatic training, and visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic and service passports.
The two governments agreed to establish an intergovernmental commission to coordinate economic cooperation. Ruto concluded his visit by inviting Putin to travel to Kenya.
