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President William Ruto has said Russia will stop recruiting Kenyans into its military following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, with the two leaders also agreeing to strengthen cooperation in education, employment and other sectors.

Ruto said Putin had confirmed that Kenya would no longer be considered a source country for military recruitment, a move aimed at addressing concerns over Kenyans who travelled to Russia for military-related activities.

The President announced that Kenya would appoint a Defence Attaché to its embassy in Moscow to coordinate with the Russian Ministry of Defence on the repatriation of affected Kenyans.

According to Ruto, the Defence Attaché will also engage Russian authorities on compensation for affected Kenyans and arrangements for their safe return home.

The discussions come amid concerns over the recruitment of Kenyans into the Russian military and efforts by the Kenyan government to establish the circumstances surrounding their involvement.

Russia to Increase Scholarships for Kenyans

The two leaders also discussed expanding educational opportunities for Kenyan students, particularly in health, artificial intelligence, technology, aviation and cybersecurity.

Ruto said Putin had committed to increasing the number of scholarships available to Kenyan students from the current 70 to 300, potentially opening up more opportunities for Kenyans seeking specialised training.

The proposed expansion is expected to strengthen academic exchanges and enhance skills development in areas considered important to technological advancement and economic growth.

Labour Agreement in the Works

Kenya and Russia also agreed to negotiate a bilateral labour agreement that would establish a framework for Kenyans seeking employment in Russia.

The proposed agreement is expected to provide a basis for cooperation on employment opportunities and labour-related matters between the two countries.

The leaders further discussed Russia’s support for the expansion of the United Nations Office in Nairobi.

Ruto described Nairobi as hosting the only UN headquarters in the developing world, underscoring Kenya’s role in international diplomacy and multilateral cooperation.

Five Agreements Signed

The Kremlin meeting followed the Russia-Africa Summit, where Kenya and Russia signed five cooperation instruments aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.

The agreements provide for the establishment of the Intergovernmental Russia-Kenya Commission on Economic Cooperation and collaboration in labour inspection and employment promotion.

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Other agreements cover cooperation between the two countries’ transport ministries, visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic and service passports, and collaboration in diplomatic training.

The instruments are intended to provide a framework for closer engagement in economic, transport, employment and diplomatic affairs.

Ruto Invites Putin to Kenya

In a further sign of efforts to strengthen relations, Ruto invited Putin to visit Kenya.

The invitation comes as Nairobi and Moscow seek to broaden their engagement beyond existing diplomatic ties to include education, employment and economic cooperation.

However, the implementation of the proposed labour agreement, the increased scholarships and arrangements for the return and compensation of Kenyans involved in Russian military activities will be key indicators of the progress made following the talks.

The two countries are expected to pursue the agreed areas of cooperation through their respective government institutions and diplomatic channels.

Source: Statements attributed to President William Ruto. Safi News has not independently verified the details of the commitments announced.