Reports suggest the Russian Orthodox Church, rapidly expanding in Kenya since its February 2023 registration, may be linked to deceptive recruitment of Kenyans for the war in Ukraine.

• The church has grown to 37 parishes and 100 clergy across Kenya.
• Charles Waithaka Wangari, 31, was allegedly recruited after being enticed by a church member with promises of studying theology in Russia.
• Rights groups, including Vocal Africa, are considering investigations into allegations of recruitment by deception, while the Ukrainian ambassador to Kenya views the church's growth as a deliberate push by Moscow to expand influence and supplement its war effort.