The Russian Orthodox Church in Kenya Was Implicated in Recruiting Kenyan Citizens to Fight Against Ukraine

According to the human rights organization Vocal Africa, clergy affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church are campaigning among Kenyan youth, offering jobs in Russia and promising to cover travel costs. Under this arrangement, Kenyan citizens are brought into the country on tourist visas. They are guaranteed income of 350–400 thousand Kenyan shillings—around $3,000. However, human rights advocates say the promised payments are never delivered.

After arriving in Russia, these individuals have their documents confiscated, bank accounts opened in their names with access controlled by commanders, and are then sent to the combat zone.

A representative of the Russian Orthodox Church in Nairobi told Religion News Service, speaking on condition of anonymity, that Kenyans are allegedly sent to Russia not to take part in the war but to study at a seminary. At the same time, he said, they are warned in advance about the risk of possible recruitment into the army. He also claimed that the Russian Orthodox Church is prepared to account for every person sent to study—“not a single one of them joined the army.”

Meanwhile, Kenya’s National Intelligence Service said that more than 1,000 citizens of the country have been recruited into the Russian army to fight in the war against Ukraine. According to intelligence data, 89 Kenyans were on the front line in early 2026.

In late February, media reports said that Russia had compiled a list of at least 36 countries where recruitment of mercenaries for the war against Ukraine is prohibited. The list includes China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Turkey, Cuba, Afghanistan, Iran, Venezuela, Argentina, Iraq, Yemen, Cameroon, Colombia, Libya, Somalia, as well as Kenya—which the outlet describes as “an important source of mercenaries for the Russian army.”