NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has urged his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to release Kenyans reportedly detained in Ukraine after being caught up in the ongoing war with Russia, in a move signalling Kenya’s deepening humanitarian diplomacy amid rising concerns over illegal foreign military recruitment.
In a statement issued on Thursday, President Ruto said he made the appeal during a phone conversation with President Zelenskyy, describing their talks as “fruitful” and focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and addressing mutual concerns.
“I have requested President Zelensky to facilitate the release of any Kenyan in Ukrainian custody. I am grateful to His Excellency for acceding to my appeal,” Ruto stated.
The President noted that both leaders expressed concern over reports of young Kenyans being duped into joining the Russia-Ukraine war through fraudulent recruitment schemes.
They agreed to enhance public awareness of the risks of engaging in foreign conflicts and pledged closer collaboration to counter such networks.
Ruto further commended Ukraine’s efforts to promote food security through the upcoming Ukraine Food Summit scheduled later this month, saying Kenya supports global initiatives to stabilize agricultural supply chains disrupted by the ongoing conflict.
President Zelenskyy, on his part, thanked Kenya for its solidarity, noting that he had briefed Ruto on recent Russian strikes targeting civilians and key infrastructure.
“I had a productive conversation with the President of Kenya, William Samoei Ruto. I informed him about Russia’s attacks on people and infrastructure, and I am grateful for his warm words of support,” Zelenskyy said in a statement.
He also confirmed that both countries discussed the recruitment of foreign nationals into Russia’s military operations, condemning the practice as “fraudulent and criminal.” “We are aware of all the deceptive methods being used and will work closely to put an end to them,” he added.
The engagement marks one of the highest-level diplomatic interactions between Nairobi and Kyiv since the onset of the conflict in 2022, reflecting Kenya’s continued call for peace and respect for sovereignty under international law.
It follows an earlier statement by the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary on October 27, confirming that the Kenyan government is pursuing the release and safe return of citizens reportedly detained or stranded in Russian military camps.
Officials from both Nairobi and Moscow held high-level talks to explore diplomatic solutions, with Russia acknowledging the challenges posed by foreign fighters recruited under false pretences.
The government has since warned Kenyans against falling victim to online recruitment scams that exploit the ongoing conflict, urging them to seek official verification before engaging in overseas job offers.
