Kenya's prime intelligence agency has informed parliament that over 1,000 Kenyans are currently fighting for Russia in the war in Ukraine, raising new concerns about foreign recruitment and national security.

Officials from the National Intelligence Service made the disclosure during a parliamentary briefing in Nairobi late Wednesday, warning lawmakers about the growing number of citizens believed to have traveled abroad to join the ongoing conflict.

The latest figures provided by intelligence officials represented a significant increase from November of last year, when Kenya's Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi informed lawmakers that approximately 200 Kenyans were fighting for Russia in the conflict.

Kimani Ichung'wah, the majority leader of the National Assembly, told parliament that more should be done to protect Kenyans from deceptive overseas recruitment schemes.

Recruitment agencies

He urged increased border security and closer scrutiny of outbound travel to determine who is leaving the country and for what reason.

According to security officials, unlicensed recruitment agencies are primarily to blame, with some operating outside of formal oversight and allegedly defrauding job seekers with promises of security or construction work abroad.

Authorities stated that many recruits travel through other African countries before arriving in Russia, which complicates monitoring efforts.

Governments across Africa and Asia have previously cautioned their citizens against joining the conflict, warning of potential legal, diplomatic, and security consequences.

Kenyan authorities have repeatedly advised citizens to verify overseas job offers and avoid recruitment schemes linked to armed conflicts.

Officials say some recruits may not realize they are entering combat roles until they leave the country, complicating efforts to track and assist them.