Kenyan President William Ruto and Russian President Vladimir Putin have reached an agreement to designate Kenya as a non-source country for recruitment into the Russian military. This move effectively closes the recruitment channels through which several Kenyans had been illegally enlisted to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war. The agreement was made during a bilateral meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on Thursday, following the conclusion of the Third Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum.
President Ruto informed President Putin that he has appointed a Defence Attaché at the Kenyan Embassy in Moscow to facilitate the repatriation of Kenyans who had travelled to Russia for military purposes. The Defence Attaché will work closely with the Russian Ministry of Defence to facilitate compensation for affected Kenyans and coordinate their safe return home. This development provides relief to families of Kenyans who were recruited into the Russian military without their knowledge or consent.
The two leaders also underscored the need for deeper economic partnership between Kenya and Russia, given their historical ties. President Ruto acknowledged the longstanding diplomatic relations between the two countries, recalling that Russia was the second country to recognise Kenya’s independence in 1963. He noted that the historical relationship between Kenya and Russia provides a strong foundation for expanding cooperation in trade, investment, and other areas of mutual interest.
On trade, President Ruto acknowledged the existing imbalance in favour of Russia but emphasised the need to diversify trade opportunities and expand Kenyan exports, particularly tea and flowers, to the Russian market. He recognised that there is a trade imbalance in favour of Russia but expressed optimism that new trade avenues can be explored to benefit both countries. President Ruto also invited Russian investors to explore investment opportunities arising from Kenya’s National Infrastructure Fund.
President Putin reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to strengthening trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation with Kenya. He noted that Russia remains one of Kenya’s leading suppliers of fertiliser and expressed his country’s desire to sustain and expand the existing trade relationship. President Putin also announced that the Russian Government had increased the quota for Kenyan students pursuing higher education in Russia, from 70 to 300 annually.
The two leaders also discussed international cooperation, with President Putin underscoring the shared positions between Kenya and Russia on strengthening the central role of the United Nations, promoting a multipolar world order, and reforming multilateral institutions to ensure greater inclusivity and representation of developing countries. He further expressed Russia’s support for strengthening the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi.
The visit culminated in the signing of five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), aimed at enhancing bilateral partnership between Kenya and Russia across key sectors, including economic cooperation, employment, transport, and diplomacy. The agreements establish a strong foundation for expanding bilateral cooperation, translating the longstanding relationship between the two countries into tangible economic and development gains. President Ruto said the agreements would unlock new opportunities for trade and investment.
Key points
- Kenya and Russia have agreed to stop the recruitment of Kenyans into the Russian military.
- The two countries have also agreed to strengthen economic partnership and increase trade opportunities.
- Russia has increased the quota for Kenyan students pursuing higher education in Russia from 70 to 300 annually.
