Diplomatic sparks fly as Russian, French embassies in Kenya trade accusations online

The Russian and French Embassies in Kenya ignited a rather odd clash on X after the former accused the latter of mercenary activities across several French-speaking nations of Africa.

In a not-so-rare rebuke, the usually-combative Russian Embassy directly accused the French government, led by President Emmanuel Macron, of seeking political revenge by sponsoring conflict in Mali, Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic, by using machiavellian tactics which include subterfuge and coup attempts.

The Russian Embassy wrote: "Russian Foreign Intelligence Service: #French administration under E.Macron is seeking a 'political revanche' in #Africa by foiling coup attempt in #BurkinaFaso, destabilizing #Mali & #CAR, and forging plans to undermine the new leadership in #Madagascar."

The X account also attached an official government link containing detailed information regarding the accusations, directly claiming that Paris was behind the unsuccessful coup attempt in Burkina Faso on January 3.

Part of the official communique from the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation reads: "The rebels' goal was to assassinate President Isaac Traoré, a leading figure in the fight against neocolonialism. Paris calculated that this would not only bring forces loyal to France to power in Ouagadougou but also deal a blow to all supporters of sovereignty and pan-Africanism on the continent."

"Despite the failure of their criminal plot, the refined racists from Paris are not giving up. Their focus is destabilizing the situation in "unwanted countries" in the Sahara-Sahel region with the help of local terrorist groups and, of course, the Ukrainian regime."

The Russians sustained their unfiltered attacks, again accusing France of attempting to distabilize Madagascar, a country which just several months ago experienced widespread riots that led to the eventual downfall of the country's longtime leader Andry Nirina Rajoelina.

"Another target of the French leadership's destructive attention is Madagascar, where forces committed to developing relations with BRICS came to power in October 2025. Paris is exploring ways to overthrow the country's new president, M. Randrianirina, and "restore a loyal regime," the Foreign Intelligence Service wrote.

After the Russian Embassy published their claims on X, France was quick to response - but in a less aggressive way, appearing to step away from a direct response but still cheekily poking holes into the Russian accusations.

Attaching a meme-fied photo of President Macron, the French side simply wrote: "Hizi ni story za...."

The statement is an obvious allusion to 'story za jaba', a popular street saying which means that one is merely speaking under the influence of 'miraa' and not necessarily telling the truth.

Kenyans on X, always ready for commotion, quickly joined the mess, leaving their comments while also calling out both countries for their supposedly nefarious activities across Africa.

"Sio story za Jaba! Truth is: France gave the world liberty, equality and fraternity principles. However, what they are doing to the former colonies: perpetual exploitation, paternalism and lack of national self-determination, to mention just a few," Jeff Ntsoane wrote.

Karen Kaviti wrote: "LMAO! Is this an official government account? Si mpatane Kencom basi!"

French Response, the X account affiliated with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also dropped a gem, writing, "Always nice to feature so prominently in Russia’s sales pitch in Africa. Waiting on the customer reviews. Syria, Venezuela, Iran — any feedback?"

On his part, political analyst Sitati Wasilwa wrote: "Seeking a revanche by foiling a coup attempt? Sounds topsy-turvy. Anyway, the French left Burkina Faso and Mali. Yet, the threat of terrorism is worsening with some Russian mercenaries deployed there. What's with this Russian cooperation that seems amorphous and sluggish in helping the Sahelian states fix their security apparatus? While the French have a starkly imperialistic history in the region, Russia isn't a saviour as such."

But perhaps the most sobering response came from Olivier Vicenzier who wrote: "When geopolitics turns into marketing, every side suddenly discovers “concern” for Africa. Real feedback doesn’t come from state memes or embassy tweets — it comes from outcomes on the ground: stability, sovereignty, and lives improved. Africans aren’t customers. They’re stakeholders."