NAIROBI, Kenya- President William Ruto says Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed that Kenyans will no longer be enlisted into the Russian military.
Ruto said Putin gave the assurance during talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, following the Russia-Africa Summit.
He said Kenya had been categorised as a “non-source country” for recruitment into the Russian military.
The two presidents also discussed the return of Kenyans who travelled to Russia for military purposes.
Ruto said he had appointed a Defence Attaché at the Kenya Embassy in Moscow to liaise with Russia’s Ministry of Defence on their repatriation.
The Defence Attaché will also work with the ministry to process compensation for Kenyans and support their safe return home, Ruto said.
Kenya appoints Defence Attaché in Moscow
Ruto’s announcement did not specify how many Kenyans are affected or when their return would be completed.
He said the Defence Attaché would coordinate the process with Russian officials.
The two leaders also discussed expanding scholarships for Kenyan students in health, artificial intelligence, technology, aviation and cybersecurity.
Ruto said Putin had agreed to increase the number of scholarships from 70 to 300.
Putin also committed to support the expansion of the United Nations Office in Nairobi, which Ruto described as the only UN headquarters in the developing world.
The leaders agreed that their governments would negotiate a bilateral labour agreement to enable Kenyans to live and work in Russia.
Ruto also invited Putin to visit Kenya, citing closer relations between the two countries.
During the Russia-Africa Summit, Kenya and Russia signed five instruments covering economic cooperation, labour inspection and employment promotion, transport, visa-free travel for diplomatic and service passport holders, and diplomatic training.
