The Kenyan government has released an update on the number of citizens affected by the Russia-Ukraine war. According to Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, 354 Kenyans are linked to the conflict. This includes 84 classified as killed or missing in action and five being held as prisoners of war in Ukraine. The government has been working to secure the release and repatriation of affected Kenyans through diplomatic channels.
The government has provided a breakdown of the 354 Kenyans linked to the Russia-Ukraine war. 77 Kenyans remain on the front lines, 38 are in camps, 52 have an unknown or unclassified location, and 34 are hospitalized. Another 62 Kenyans have been repatriated, while one is in detention and another has completed a military contract. Russia has stopped the enlistment of additional Kenyans after Kenya secured the country’s placement on Russia’s ‘Stop List’ during Mudavadi’s visit to Moscow in March.
Five Kenyan nationals are currently being held as prisoners of war in Ukraine. They were identified as Evans Kibet, Willi Muniu Macharia, Haron Kibet Pachenge, Joseph, and Francis Ndarua Ndungu. The Kenyan Honorary Consul in Ukraine visited the Zakhid 1 prisoner-of-war camp and reported that the detainees were being held in humane conditions, had access to medical services, and were being treated under rules governing prisoners of war.
The government also said Ukraine was holding the remains of four other Kenyans: Simon Gitau, Clinton Nyapara Mogesa, Dennis Bagaka Obwori, and Eric Mwangi Nyambura. Kenya is seeking the release and repatriation of the affected Kenyans through diplomatic channels, including engagement with Ukraine and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The government wants Kenyans held as prisoners of war to be considered as possible victims of international human trafficking.
Many of the affected Kenyans reported that recruiters lured them with promises of employment before they ended up in military service. The government says the circumstances surrounding their recruitment could fit the definition of trafficking under Article 3(a) of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons. President William Ruto has also raised the matter directly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a telephone conversation.
Kenya has received approval from Kyiv for its ambassador to Ukraine, which will improve its ability to respond to cases involving Kenyans in the country. The State Department for Diaspora Affairs said families should report cases to the government as soon as communication with relatives in Russia is disrupted. The government has also facilitated the return of 62 Kenyans who had been involved in Russia’s military operations.
The government is expanding measures to prevent deceptive recruitment by providing pre-departure information, urging Kenyans to verify recruitment agencies and employment offers, and strengthening emergency assistance through Kenyan diplomatic missions. The scale of the recruitment first emerged publicly in February when Parliament was told that more than 1,000 Kenyans had been recruited to fight for Russia.
Key points
- 84 Kenyans have been killed or are missing in action in the Russia-Ukraine war.
- 52 Kenyans have an unknown or unclassified location in the conflict.
- The Kenyan government is working to secure the release and repatriation of affected citizens through diplomatic channels.
