A United States government report has raised concerns over the alleged involvement of Kenyan officials in the recruitment of more than 1,000 Kenyan men to fight for Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine.

The 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report by the US Department of State alleges that some Kenyan officials colluded with recruitment agencies and Russian government officials to facilitate the recruitment through fraudulent job offers.

According to the report, some Kenyans were promised well-paying jobs in construction and security before allegedly being pressured into signing contracts with Russia’s Ministry of Defence.

The findings raise fresh concerns over human trafficking, recruitment practices and the protection of Kenyans seeking employment opportunities abroad.

The report also criticised Kenya’s response to suspected trafficking networks, citing concerns over alleged official complicity and insufficient action against recruitment agencies suspected of involvement.

It further cited reports suggesting that more than 10 per cent of Kenyan government officials have ownership interests in private employment agencies, raising questions about possible conflicts of interest in the recruitment sector.

However, the allegations do not establish the criminal responsibility of any individual official, and the report does not identify all those suspected of involvement.

Government Reports 62 Kenyans Repatriated

The findings emerged as the Kenyan government continued efforts to trace and assist citizens caught up in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

On October 8, 2026, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi told a joint Senate committee that 62 Kenyans had been repatriated.

According to the Kenyan Parliament, the government had recorded 354 Kenyans connected to the crisis, including those on the front lines, those reported missing or killed, citizens receiving treatment in hospitals and others whose whereabouts remained unknown. Five Kenyans were reported to be prisoners of war in Ukraine.

The government said it was pursuing diplomatic channels to locate missing citizens, facilitate the return of those able to leave the conflict and secure the release of Kenyans detained in Ukraine.

Mudavadi also said Kenya had secured its inclusion on a Russian list intended to prevent further enlistment of Kenyan nationals into the military.

The US report's figure of more than 1,000 recruits differs from the Kenyan government's reported count of 354 citizens connected to the conflict. The two figures should not be interpreted as directly comparable without further clarification on how each was compiled.

Human Trafficking Prosecutions Decline

Beyond the recruitment allegations, the report raised concerns over Kenya's wider efforts to investigate and prosecute human trafficking offences.

According to the figures cited in the report, authorities investigated 43 trafficking cases in 2025, compared with 42 in 2024.

However, prosecutions declined from 44 to 14, while convictions under the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act fell from 21 in 2024 to six in 2025.

The six convictions comprised five cases involving sex trafficking and one involving forced labour.

The report also highlighted concerns about corruption and the alleged involvement of public officials in trafficking-related offences, calling attention to weaknesses in enforcement and accountability.

More Victims Identified Amid Funding Concerns

The report also recorded progress in identifying trafficking victims, with Kenyan authorities identifying 271 victims during the reporting period, compared with 195 in the previous period.

The government worked with non-governmental organisations to provide assistance to victims. However, the report raised concerns over gaps in protection services, particularly access to safe accommodation and other support for adult survivors.

Funding for direct assistance through the National Assistance Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking reportedly fell to KSh9.27 million from KSh20 million in the previous year.

The reduction raises concerns about the resources available to support survivors as authorities seek to strengthen protection services.

Kenya Retains Tier 2 Ranking

Kenya retained its Tier 2 ranking in the 2026 US Trafficking in Persons Report.

The classification means the country does not fully meet the minimum standards for eliminating human trafficking but is making significant efforts to meet them.

The findings place renewed focus on the need for stronger oversight of recruitment agencies, investigations into alleged official involvement, improved prosecution of suspected traffickers and better protection for victims.

They also underscore the risks faced by Kenyans seeking work abroad and the importance of verifying recruitment agencies and employment offers before travelling.