OMM Newsroom
Kenyan President William Ruto met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on Friday, securing a commitment to stop recruiting Kenyan nationals into the Russian military and to strengthen bilateral relations, Anadolu Agency reported.
Ruto said he thanked Putin for confirming that Kenyans would no longer be enlisted, as Kenya had been designated a non-source country for recruitment into the Russian military.
The agreement addresses concerns about Kenyans joining Russian forces amid Moscow’s war with Ukraine.
Ruto said he had appointed a defence attaché to Kenya’s embassy in Moscow to coordinate with Russia’s Defence Ministry on the repatriation and compensation of Kenyans recruited for military purposes. The official will also help facilitate their safe return home.
Russia and Kenya discuss employment and education
The meeting followed the Russia-Africa Summit, where Moscow sought to strengthen diplomatic and economic partnerships across the continent.
The two leaders agreed to negotiate a labour agreement that would allow Kenyans to live and work in Russia.
They also discussed increasing the number of Russian scholarships for Kenyan students from 70 to 300, in healthcare, artificial intelligence, aviation, technology and cybersecurity.
Ruto said Putin pledged support for expanding the United Nations Office in Nairobi, the UN’s only headquarters in the developing world.
Five cooperation instruments signed
Kenya and Russia signed five cooperation instruments covering economic relations, employment promotion, labour inspection, transport, diplomatic training and visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic and service passports.
The agreements include the establishment of an intergovernmental commission to coordinate economic cooperation between the two countries.
Ruto also invited Putin to visit Kenya as both governments seek to deepen diplomatic engagement.
