Kenya has raised alarms over the involvement of its nationals in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, with more than 200 citizens reportedly fighting for Russian forces.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi issued the warning on Wednesday, noting that recruitment networks remain active and continue to target Kenyans with misleading job offers.

“Reports suggest that over two hundred Kenyans may have joined the Russian military, with some being former members of Kenya’s disciplined services,” Mudavadi said in a statement published on the Foreign Ministry’s website. He described the situation as extremely worrying and urged citizens to exercise caution toward overseas employment opportunities that appear unrealistically attractive.

The warning follows reports from Ukraine indicating that more than 1,400 individuals from three dozen African countries are participating in the conflict alongside Russian forces, with some reportedly recruited through deceptive practices.

Last week, Kenyan President William Ruto spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the phone, requesting the release of Kenyan nationals detained in the conflict zone.

The issue is not limited to Kenya. In a statement from South Africa’s Presidency on November 6, officials revealed ongoing diplomatic efforts to repatriate 17 South Africans who had been recruited as mercenaries with promises of high salaries and subsequently stranded in Ukraine’s Donbas region.

Authorities in both Kenya and South Africa have emphasized the dangers of mercenary recruitment networks and warned their citizens against falling prey to such schemes.