Kenya says over 200 of its nationals are fighting for Russia in Ukraine war

NAIROBI (Reuters) -Kenya said on Wednesday over 200 of its citizens are fighting for Russia in Moscow's war in Ukraine, and that recruiting agencies are still actively working to lure more Kenyans into the conflict.

Ukraine last week said that more than 1,400 citizens from three dozen African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine with some recruited through deception.

Russia was enticing Africans to sign contracts that Ukraine's foreign minister, Andriy Sybiha described as "equivalent to ... a death sentence", and urged African governments to caution their citizens.

"Recruitment exercises in Russia have reportedly expanded to include African nationals, including Kenyans," Kenya's ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement.

"Over two hundred Kenyans may have joined the Russian military... recruitment networks are still active in both Kenya and Russia," the statement said.

Moscow's embassy in Nairobi did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

According to the ministry, Kenya's embassy in Moscow has recorded injuries among some of the recruits, who were allegedly promised up to $18,000 to cover costs for visas, travel, and accommodation.

A security raid carried out near Nairobi in September rescued 21 Kenyans who, the ministry said, were being prepared for deployment to the war. One person was arrested and is facing prosecution in connection with the incident.

The ministry said that those rescued had been misled about the nature of their work, believing they were recruited for non-combat roles such as assembling drones, handling chemicals and painting.

(Reporting by Humphrey Malalo and Vincent Mumo Nzilani; Writing by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Ros Russell)