Ruto secures return of Kenyans recruited into Russian army
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on UG Diplomat
Kenyan President William Ruto says Russia will stop recruiting Kenyans into its army and facilitate the return of those who have already left, with possible compensation. Moscow has also reportedly agreed to increase the number of scholarships for Kenyan students from 70 to 300, according to UG Diplomat, citing Ruto.
Kenyan President William Ruto announced that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had confirmed that the recruitment of Kenyans into the Russian army would end. A defence attaché will be appointed to the Kenyan embassy in Moscow to coordinate their return and facilitate compensation for those concerned, according to Ruto.
Russia has also agreed to increase the number of scholarships for Kenyan students from 70 to 300, particularly in the fields of health, artificial intelligence, technology, aviation and cybersecurity, the Kenyan president said. The two countries will also negotiate a bilateral labour agreement that would allow Kenyans to live and work in Russia.
The discussions also covered Russian support for expanding the United Nations office in Nairobi. Ruto invited Putin to visit Kenya.
These exchanges follow the Russia-Africa summit, where Nairobi and Moscow signed five cooperation agreements. On 30 October, the two presidents also discussed an expansion of economic ties between Kenya and Russia. Russia had then announced compensation for Kenyans recruited into its army and banned their recruitment, according to the announcements of 30 October.
