The Kenyan government has vowed to confront Russia over increasing numbers of its citizens being recruited to fight in the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine while describing the practice as ‘unacceptable’ and ‘clandestine’

Kenya’s foreign minister, Musalia Mudavadi, disclosed this in a BBC interview, with the government revealing that an estimated 200 Kenyans have fought in the war in Ukraine on the Russian side.

“Kenya and Russia have had long relations since independence, literally. So this, in my view, becomes a very unfortunate episode of otherwise very positive and cordial relations between our two countries,” Mr Mudavadi said.

Authorities in Kenya have also shut down over 600 illegal recruiters luring fighters to participate in the years-long war as the government plans to urge Moscow to sign a deal banning conscription of Kenyan soldiers.

Mr Mudavadi noted that his country’s discussion with Russia would centre on tackling illegal recruitment practices, including discussions on visa policy and bilateral labour agreements excluding military conscription.

Twenty seven Kenyans fighting in Russia had been repatriated to the East African country so far. It is unclear the number of Kenyan fighters that have been killed.

The minister added that the government was providing psychological care for the fighters to “de-radicalise” them.