Kenya is set to hold talks with Russia over growing reports that its citizens are being recruited to fight in the war in Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi told the BBC that the practice was "unacceptable and clandestine".

The minister added that Kenya had banned agencies it said were carrying out illegal recruitment.

During the talks, the two countries said they would urge Moscow to sign an agreement banning the recruitment of Kenyan citizens into the military.

The Kenyan government estimates that about 200 of its citizens have been recruited to fight for Russia so far.

Kenya has no official data on how many of its citizens have been recruited to fight in the war in Ukraine, as Kenyans do not travel to Russia regularly.

"Kenya and Russia have had good relations since independence. So this, in my view, will be a very sad incident that has affected the positive and friendly relations between the two countries," the minister said.

Mudavadi told the BBC that Kenya's discussions with Russia will focus on curbing illegal recruitment practices.