The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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The Cabinet has approved Kenya’s accession to two international treaties aimed at preventing the recruitment of citizens into foreign wars and strengthening the country’s fight against human trafficking.
The decision paves the way for Kenya to formally join the 1989 United Nations Convention Against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries and the 1977 OAU Convention for the Elimination of Mercenarism in Africa.
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In addition, the Cabinet endorsed proposed amendments to the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act and other related laws to tighten measures against illegal recruitment networks operating within the country.
The move follows growing concerns over reports that more than 500 Kenyans have allegedly been recruited to fight alongside Russian forces in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
According to a Cabinet memorandum, gaps in the current legal framework have enabled unscrupulous recruitment agencies to deceive vulnerable job seekers with false promises of employment abroad, only to expose them to dangerous situations.
The proposed legal changes are also intended to strengthen efforts against human trafficking syndicates accused of transporting Kenyans to countries in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe, where many reportedly face forced labour, sexual exploitation and other forms of abuse.
While Kenya is already a signatory to the OAU convention, it has yet to formally accede to the UN Mercenaries Convention. The government believes joining both agreements will strengthen the country’s legal capacity to prosecute or extradite individuals involved in mercenary activities and human trafficking.
Cabinet further warned that the participation of Kenyan nationals in foreign mercenary operations could undermine the country’s international reputation, particularly in matters relating to peace and security.
Officials said accession to the treaties would also reinforce Kenya’s foreign policy principles of non-interference, non-alignment and peaceful conflict resolution, while providing a stronger legal and diplomatic framework to counter claims linking the country to mercenary activities overseas.
