Kenyans enlisted to fight for Russia in the war against Ukraine will be granted amnesty on their return home, said Kenya's foreign minister, Musalia Mudavadi.
The announcement follows Mudavadi's recent visit to Moscow, where it was agreed that recruitment of Kenyans for military purposes would cease.
Under Kenya's laws, it is illegal for its citizens to be conscripted into foreign armies, an offense that can result in a 10-year prison sentence. Approximately 252 Kenyans are reported to have been illegally recruited during a trend that commenced around six months ago.
Many expatriates have claimed they were lured into Russian service under the guise of well-paying civilian jobs. Upon arrival, they were often forced to sign contracts in Russian without fully understanding the implications.
So far, 44 Kenyans have returned home, while 11 are reported missing or deceased. Another 38 are hospitalized in Russia, with many more still engaged in combat.
Mudavadi’s efforts also included negotiating the safe repatriation of those wishing to leave their positions in combat zones.
Kenya's foreign ministry aims to combat human trafficking and prevent illegal recruitment, with an assessment suggesting that over 1,700 individuals from Africa have been recruited to fight for Russia since the onset of the Ukraine conflict.
In the past, South Africa has also repatriated citizens trapped in similar circumstances.
