Nearly 1,000 Kenyans fighting in Ukraine : NPR
NPR • • general
Key Points:
- Over 1,000 Kenyans are currently fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war, many recruited under false pretenses and sent to the frontlines with minimal training, according to a Kenyan National Intelligence Service report presented to Parliament.
- Families of deceased and missing Kenyan fighters, such as the Ombwori and Ogolla families, are grieving and seeking answers, with some victims' deaths only disclosed months later by Russian commanders without official communication to next of kin.
- The recruitment networks involve both Kenyan and foreign actors, with recruits often traveling through neighboring countries to avoid detection and enticed by promises of high salaries and potential Russian citizenship, though many end up in combat roles.
- Kenyan lawmakers have expressed shock and accused officials at both the Kenyan
