354 Kenyans Linked to Russia-Ukraine War as Government Reveals 84 Killed or Missing

NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenyan government has documented 354 nationals linked to the Russia-Ukraine war, including 84 people listed as killed or missing in action, as authorities face growing pressure to account for Kenyans recruited into Russian military operations.

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi provided the latest figures to Parliament while responding to a petition concerning Kenyans recruited into the Russian military and nationals detained in Ukraine.

The government records show that 77 Kenyans are believed to remain on the front lines, while 38 are in military camps. Another 52 have an unknown or unclassified location and 34 are receiving hospital treatment.

A further 62 Kenyans have been repatriated. One person is listed as detained and another has completed a military contract.

The figures bring into focus the continuing difficulty of establishing the whereabouts and status of every Kenyan linked to the conflict, with authorities relying on information from diplomatic missions, families and foreign governments.

Mudavadi said the latest update incorporated information received from Kenya’s Embassy in Vienna on October 7, after the ministry had submitted its initial written response to Parliament.

Russia recruitment ‘stop list’

The government says it has secured an agreement with Russia to halt the recruitment of Kenyan nationals into its military operations.

The move followed diplomatic talks in Moscow in March between Mudavadi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Kenya was subsequently placed on what officials described as a Russian military recruitment “Stop List”.

“The Embassy of Kenya in Moscow has since confirmed that no additional Kenyan nationals have been enlisted in the Special Military Operation following the implementation of the Stop List,” Mudavadi told lawmakers.

The March agreement also included commitments relating to consular assistance, voluntary disengagement and efforts to address alleged trafficking and irregular recruitment networks. Kenya has said the recruitment of its citizens into foreign armed forces is prohibited under Kenyan law.

However, the government says the termination of existing military contracts remains a separate issue.

Russian authorities have informed Kenya that requests to end contracts are considered individually by commanders of the relevant military units, according to Mudavadi.

The Russian Defence Ministry has also told Kenya that it cannot finance the repatriation of remains of Kenyan nationals who died in the conflict, leaving Nairobi to continue negotiations over burial, cremation and the possible return of remains.

Five Kenyans held in Ukraine

Ukraine has informed Kenya that five Kenyan nationals are being held as prisoners of war.

Kenya’s Honorary Consul in Ukraine visited the Zakhid 1 prisoner-of-war facility and reported that the detainees had access to medical services and were being held in humane conditions, according to the government.

Ukrainian authorities have also informed Kenya that the remains of four Kenyans are in Ukrainian custody.

The government says it is pursuing the welfare, release and eventual repatriation of the detainees through diplomatic channels, including engagement with Ukrainian authorities and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

President William Ruto has also discussed the matter with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mudavadi said.

Kenya seeks trafficking designation for detained nationals

In a further diplomatic effort, Kenya is considering asking that the Kenyans held as prisoners of war be treated as potential victims of human trafficking during negotiations over their repatriation.

Mudavadi said some Kenyans had reported being recruited after being offered employment opportunities, circumstances the government believes could fall within the definition of trafficking under the Palermo Protocol.

“In the case of Kenyans held as prisoners of war, many of whom report having been recruited under false promises of employment, it is proposed that, while negotiating their repatriation, consideration be given to their designation as victims of international human trafficking,” Mudavadi told Parliament.

The proposal is intended to improve access to assistance and facilitate repatriation. It does not, however, mean that Ukraine has already accepted a change in the detainees’ legal status.

Families left seeking answers

The government’s figures also highlight the continuing uncertainty faced by relatives whose family members travelled abroad for employment but subsequently became involved in the conflict.

The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has been documenting cases reported by relatives and referring them to Kenyan diplomatic missions for verification.

Officials have also assisted families with next-of-kin documentation, psychosocial support, compensation procedures and arrangements for the handling and repatriation of remains.

The case of former Kenya Defence Forces soldier Dennis Ombwori Bagaka has become one example of the risks faced by Kenyans caught up in the recruitment networks.

Bagaka, 39, from Kisii County, was reported by his family to have travelled after being offered employment opportunities and later became involved with Russian military forces. His death in Ukraine was reported in February, with relatives seeking assistance in bringing his remains home.

His case has featured in wider concerns over claims that some Kenyans were recruited through misleading employment offers.

Diplomatic presence in Ukraine

Kenya is also moving to strengthen its diplomatic capacity in Ukraine.

Mudavadi said Kyiv had granted agrément for the appointment of a Kenyan ambassador, with Nairobi expected to proceed with the issuance of Letters of Credence.

The government says the diplomatic presence will help strengthen assistance to Kenyans affected by the conflict and improve coordination with Ukrainian authorities.

For families still searching for information about relatives, the government has urged them to contact the State Department for Diaspora Affairs as soon as communication is lost.

Cases reported by families are then referred to Kenya’s diplomatic missions for verification.

The government has pledged to continue updating Parliament and affected families as additional information is received and verified.

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