NAIROBI, Kenya- More than 1,000 Kenyan men were recruited to fight for the Russian military through collusion involving Kenyan officials, recruitment agencies and Russian government officials, according to the US Department of State’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report.
The report says some men were offered well-paying jobs in security or construction before being pressured into signing contracts with Russia’s Ministry of Defence.
It does not identify the officials involved or give details of investigations into the recruitment network.
The report also describes African women, including Kenyans aged between 18 and 22, being recruited for vocational training before being placed in Russian military drone production facilities.
It cites reports of hazardous working conditions, surveillance, wage and working-hour violations, changes to contracts and recruitment fees paid by workers.
Trafficking convictions fall
Kenya investigated 43 trafficking cases in 2025, compared with 42 the previous year, the report says.
Prosecutions fell from 44 to 14, while convictions under the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act declined from 21 to six.
Five of those convicted were found guilty of sex trafficking and one of forced labour.
Two sex traffickers received 30-year prison sentences, three were sentenced to 20 years, and the person convicted of labour trafficking received 10 years.
The report says authorities investigated three Ministry of Labour officials suspected of taking bribes linked to potential trafficking of migrant workers travelling to the Middle East.
It also says the government did not report action against recruitment agencies reportedly owned by public employees and involved in trafficking crimes.
More victims identified, but support remains limited
Authorities identified 271 trafficking victims during the reporting period, up from 195 in the previous period.
The report classified 260 as victims of forced labour and 11 as victims of sex trafficking.
It also recorded 1,021 potential victims.
The government, working with non-governmental organisations, provided services to 483 victims, compared with 321 previously.
It also funded the voluntary return of Kenyan victims exploited abroad, including in online scam operations in Southeast Asia.
However, the report says support remains inadequate for some survivors, particularly adult men. Some were referred to homeless shelters, while others were left without shelter.
Plans to expand a dedicated trafficking shelter to hold up to 60 people were delayed by funding shortfalls.
The government allocated KSh9.27 million from the National Assistance Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking, down from KSh20 million in the previous year.
A proposed amendment to the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act also remained pending for a fifth consecutive reporting period.
The change would remove the option of imposing a fine instead of imprisonment for sex trafficking.
Kenya retained its Tier 2 ranking.
The US assessment says the country does not fully meet the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking but is making significant efforts.
It credited Kenya with identifying and assisting more victims and helping repatriate citizens exploited abroad, while pointing to falling convictions, official involvement and gaps in survivor protection as continuing concerns.
