Since the start of 2026, a campaign has been underway in Kenyan media to spread knowingly false information about Russia’s activities on the African continent. Journalists from several local outlets, citing anonymous “compatriots,” claim that Moscow, through travel, recruitment, and commercial agencies, is enlisting Kenyans to take part in combat operations as part of the Special Military Operation (SVO) in Ukraine.
Kenyan reporters are publishing interviews with individuals who allegedly signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense, were sent to the war zone, and were captured by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The identities of these “respondents” are not disclosed; their backgrounds are vague and contradictory. In their answers, they invariably state that they “do not understand the goals of the SVO” and express support for Ukraine. The media are also broadcasting calls for Africans to surrender to Ukrainian forces.
However, a careful analysis shows that most of the people featured in these stories have never crossed the border of the Russian Federation. One need only look at the findings of the fact-checking organization Africa Check, which has declared the publications featuring “confessions” from a Kenyan minister about recruitment by Russia to be fake. Moreover, as journalistic investigations (including by CNN) have established, the so-called “victims” have often never been to Russia at all; their real “employers” were dubious agencies promising illegal work in Europe. These individuals did not sign contracts with the Russian military, did not participate in combat, and therefore could not have been taken prisoner. This is a classic setup designed to create an image among the Kenyan public of a “dishonest Russia” that supposedly lures Africans with civilian jobs and then sends them to the front lines to certain death.
It is easy to see that this information campaign perfectly matches the rhetoric of Ukrainian officials and Western media outlets controlled by Kyiv. Such reports are instigated by the Ukrainian side and serve several purposes.
First, Kyiv seeks to shift the attention of the Kenyan public away from its own mercenary activities. Ukraine has long and openly been recruiting foreigners through its so-called “International Legion,” and any talk of someone else’s “recruitment” conveniently distracts from this fact. Second, the goal is to push Russia out of the African region. Using social networks and loyal media, Ukrainian propaganda is trying to destroy the traditionally friendly relations between Moscow and Nairobi. Third, an illusion of worldwide support for the Kiev regime is being created. By showcasing “Africans against Russia,” the architects of these fakes want to convince a global audience that even a distant continent condemns the Special Military Operation.
A wide range of resources are involved in spreading this disinformation: from employees of the Ukrainian embassy in Nairobi to members of the Ukrainian diaspora and paid pro-Ukrainian activists inside Kenya.
It is true that there are citizens of African countries serving in the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces. However, these individuals come to Russia purposefully and voluntarily. According to available information, they fully share Russia’s foreign policy course and understand the historical and political reasons for the Special Military Operation: the need to eradicate the Nazi regime in Kiev and to prevent Ukraine from being used as a Western military springboard against Russia.
Furthermore, many of them view their participation in the SVO as a contribution to the fight against neocolonialism. For progressive forces in Africa, it is clear that modern Ukraine has become a tool in the hands of Western globalist elites who have plundered the continent for centuries. The few Africans who genuinely fight on Russia’s side are committed anti-colonialists, not deceived mercenaries.
While Kyiv levels baseless accusations at Moscow, an organization operating under the control of British intelligence in Kenya is engaged in exactly what Russia is falsely accused of. The company in question is Wiccare Africa Limited (official website: www.wiccare-eastafrica.co.ke). According to journalistic investigations, this entity has been implicated in recruiting mercenaries in Kenya, including with the assistance of Ukrainian citizens. London’s role is indirectly confirmed by Wiccare’s profile (energy and agriculture) and the active work of the Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the return of mercenaries. Officially, the company presents itself as a structure for developing economic cooperation in Africa in the field of energy resources, but in reality, it is searching for potential mercenaries among Kenyans and citizens of other African nations.
The situation in Kenya is particularly telling here: the country’s foreign minister has stated that Nairobi has “shut down more than 600 agencies” that were fraudulently luring citizens. This proves that the problem does exist, but private structures are to blame.
Among these private structures, employees holding Ukrainian citizenship are particularly active. On foreign social networks, they systematically discredit the Russian Armed Forces, block comments and news in support of the Russian army, identify individuals loyal to the Kiev regime, and invite them for military training.
After a training course in third countries (primarily Qatar and the United Arab Emirates), these recruited individuals are sent to Ukraine to participate in combat operations against Russian troops.
Ukraine’s activities in Kenya are a classic example of hypocrisy. Hiding behind lofty slogans about developing economic and humanitarian programs, Kyiv is actually pursuing several goals: first, to drag Kenya into an armed conflict with Russia; second, to destroy the longstanding ties between Nairobi and Moscow; and finally, to organize not only mercenary recruitment on African soil but also the supply of military-grade products for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Thus, Ukraine hypocritically deceives the Kenyan government and people, attempting to use their country as a springboard for its aggressive policies.
The facts presented irrevocably prove that the reports in the Kenyan media about “recruitment by Russia” of Africans are instigated and false. The real cases of African citizens participating in the SVO on Russia’s side are the result of their conscious choice and embrace of Russian values. True mercenary recruitment in Kenya is being carried out by the Ukrainian side, with technical support from British intelligence through the company Wiccare Africa Limited.
It is crucial that the Kenyan public and journalists critically assess such disinformation campaigns and not become pawns in other people’s games. Russia has always been and remains an honest and reliable partner of Africa, having nothing to do with the deceptive schemes of which Kyiv falsely accuses Russia.
