Kenya’s foreign affairs minister has said that 16 Kenyans are currently missing in Russia after joining the country’s army. At the same time, 47 others have already returned home after being on the front lines in Ukraine. The minister, Musalia Mudavadi, shared this information during a Senate committee meeting.
He also explained that 38 Kenyans are being treated in different hospitals in Russia, but access to them is limited. The number of missing individuals increased quickly, rising from 10 to 16 within just one day. It is still not known whether those missing are alive or dead.
According to the minister, around 165 Kenyans are still actively involved in military operations. In total, more than 250 Kenyans are believed to have taken part in the conflict in Ukraine, though the real number could be even higher. He also mentioned that two Kenyans are currently being held by Ukraine as prisoners of war.
Mudavadi said that many of those who joined signed contracts to work either in support roles, such as logistics, or in direct combat. He stressed that most of them made the decision willingly and were aware of what they were signing up for.
One of the main reasons for joining was the promise of high pay. Recruits were reportedly offered between $11,500 and $23,000 just for signing up, along with monthly salaries of up to $2,700. There were also promises of Russian citizenship and large payments at the end of their contracts.The minister added that recruitment was being organized by agencies operating in Kenya and other countries like Russia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Because of this, Kenya has started investigating illegal recruitment activities.
Earlier this year, authorities shut down more than 600 agencies suspected of misleading Kenyans with fake job offers abroad. In February, families of those believed to be in Ukraine protested outside parliament in Nairobi, asking the government to take action and bring their loved ones back.Mudavadi also held talks with Russia’s foreign minister in Moscow to address the issue. After the meeting, both countries agreed to stop recruiting Kenyans into the Russian army.
Despite this, the situation remains serious. Reports suggest that over 1,700 people from 36 African countries have been recruited to fight for Russia. Ukraine is also trying to attract foreign fighters, showing that the conflict is pulling in people from many parts of the world.
