NAIROBI, Kenya — The National Assembly has raised alarm over reports that Kenyan youth are being recruited to fight in Russia’s war in Ukraine under the pretext of overseas employment.
During a session on Monday, Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime appeared before the Departmental Committee on Labour and acknowledged that young Kenyans are being lured into unsafe situations.
He noted that official labour migration programs are not fully reaching vulnerable populations.
The Committee, chaired by Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga, pressed the PS on how citizens ended up involved in a foreign conflict despite Kenya having no bilateral labour agreements with Ukraine.
The inquiry follows a report by Leader of the Majority Party Kimani Ichung’wah, implicating officials from agencies, including the National Employment Authority (NEA), in allegedly facilitating travel to Russia under false employment pretences.
Multiple accounts have emerged in recent months of youth being recruited to participate in Russia’s war effort, often promised legitimate jobs abroad.
Legislators described the situation as a growing crisis requiring urgent intervention.
PS Mwadime told the Committee that fraudulent recruitment agencies are exploiting young people, who often travel on visitor visas only to encounter life-threatening circumstances.
“Genuine labour migration programs, processed through official government channels and Kenyan embassies abroad, are designed to ensure safe, dignified, and legally protected employment,” Mwadime said.
MPs also questioned the Ministry’s measures to identify and shut down rogue agencies that exploit job seekers, including those seeking work in the Middle East.
They noted that budget constraints have limited the State Department’s capacity to regulate labour migration and monitor recruitment practices effectively.
After extensive deliberations, the Committee concluded that urgent action is needed to eliminate rogue recruiters, enhance oversight, and safeguard Kenyan youths from exploitation abroad.
Members of Parliament vowed to pursue further investigations and ensure official channels reach those most at risk.
