Kenyan President William Ruto held talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow.
President Ruto said he secured a commitment from Putin to halt the recruitment of Kenyan nationals into the Russian military and strengthen relations following the Friday talks.
"Thanked President Putin for confirming that Kenyans will no longer be enlisted into the Russian military because Kenya has been categorized as a non-source country for recruitment into the Russian military," Ruto said in a statement.
The agreement addresses concerns about Kenyans joining Russian forces amid Moscow's war with Ukraine.
Ruto said he appointed a defence attache to Kenya's Embassy in Moscow to coordinate with the Russian Defence Ministry on the repatriation and compensation of Kenyans recruited for military purposes.
The official will also facilitate their safe return home.
Labour agreement
This comes amid growing outrage over the recruitment of young people to fight for Russia in its war with Ukraine, with reports numerous African casualties.
Ukraine said last year that more than 1,400 citizens from three dozen African countries were fighting alongside Russian forces on its territory, with some recruited through deception. Russian authorities have denied illegally recruiting African citizens to fight in Ukraine.
The meeting between Putin and Ruto 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.
UN building in Kenya
They also discussed increasing 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.
For his part, President Putin expressed Russia’s interest in strengthening diplomatic, economic and cultural ties with the East African country.
‘‘We are interested in further developing trade and economic cooperation with Kenya. I would like to note that from January to August of this year, trade turnover grew almost two-fold. This is a positive trend, and it must be maintained. Supplies of Russian agricultural products have increased,’’ Putin said, according to a Kremlin statement.
Kenya and Russia signed five cooperation instruments covering economic relations, employment promotion, labour inspection, transport, diplomatic training and visa-free travel for diplomatic and service passport holders.
The agreements include establishing an intergovernmental commission to coordinate economic cooperation between the two countries.
Ruto also invited Putin to Kenya as both governments seek to deepen diplomatic engagements.
