The kinetics of ruthenium(III) catalyzed oxidation of L-valine by permanganate in alkaline medium at a constant ionic strength has been studied spectrophotometrically. The reaction between permanganate and L-valine in alkaline medium exhibits 2:1 stoichiometry (KMnO4:L-valine). The reaction shows first-order dependence on the concentration of permanganate and ruthenium(III) and less than unit-order dependence on the concentrations of L-valine and alkali. The reaction rate increases both with an increase in ionic strength and a decrease in solvent polarity of the medium. Initial addition of reaction products did not significantly affect the rate. A mechanism involving the formation of a complex between catalyst and substrate has been proposed. The activation parameters were computed with respect to the slowest step of the mechanism.Key words: oxidation, L-valine, catalysis, ruthenium(III), kinetics.