An extensive investigation by Citizen TV has unveiled a large-scale recruitment operation allegedly facilitating hundreds of Kenyans to join the Russian military in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The exposé details a sophisticated ring reportedly orchestrated by a local intermediary, identified only as “Red,” who collaborated with senior Kenyan government officials from various departments to ensure the unhindered departure of recruits.

The alleged scheme involved personnel from critical government bodies including the Department of Defence (DoD), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Immigration Department, and the Ministry of Labour. These officials are accused of accepting substantial bribes to permit young men to travel to Russia without any governmental interference.

According to “Red’s” account, the operation began in December 2024 when he was contacted by a Russian national named Mikhael Lyapin. Lyapin reportedly sought individuals with prior security training—including former members of the military, police, or paramilitary units like the National Youth Service (NYS)—to serve in the Russian army. To establish the necessary infrastructure, Red claimed to have leveraged his contacts within Kenya’s security agencies, securing support from a brigadier within the DoD and a senior DCI officer based at headquarters. Red stated, “I approached a few friends in the department of defence and they told me it was something possible… one of the friends told me that’s a deal.”

The investigation meticulously outlined a structured bribery system that reportedly underpinned the entire recruitment process. Ministry of Labour officials allegedly received KSh 5,000 per recruit, DCI officers stationed at the airport were paid KSh 20,000 per recruit, and Immigration officers demanded KSh 50,000 for each individual allowed to travel.

The recruitment drive specifically targeted unemployed and financially vulnerable Kenyans, luring them with attractive financial incentives. Prospective fighters were reportedly promised a significant one-time signing bonus of KSh 1.6 million and a consistent monthly salary of KSh 280,000. Before their departure, recruits were housed in private residential estates, such as Great Wall Gardens in Mavoko. During this period, they were exposed to combat footage and given rudimentary lessons in the Russian language. While some applicants genuinely possessed prior military experience, the investigation revealed that others allegedly fabricated their credentials to secure a place in the lucrative, albeit perilous, arrangement. One recruit grimly reflected on the dangers, stating, “I know very well that war is dangerous… I even asked them what happens if you guys die? They were saying that’s our job. We either kill or get killed.”

Documents reviewed during the investigation strongly suggest that Kenyan authorities might have been aware of these travel arrangements. Evidence points to the issuance of over 100 electronic visas through the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs—a process that typically necessitates clearance from domestic authorities. Despite the Russian government’s denial of Mikhael Lyapin’s affiliation with its embassy, the uncovered documentation indicates a highly organized recruitment pipeline.

The human consequences of this operation have been profound for families in Kenya. Intelligence estimates cited in the report suggest that nearly 1,000 Kenyans are currently in Russia. With a striking lack of public communication from official authorities, many families remain in agonizing uncertainty, desperately awaiting updates about their relatives who have ventured thousands of miles into a distant conflict zone.