Sixteen Kenyans missing in Russia after army recruitment

Relatives of those who say they were duped to fight for Russia have been calling for the Kenyan government to intervene

Sixteen Kenyans are currently missing in Russia after joining the Russian army, while 47 others have returned home from the front lines in Ukraine, Musalia Mudavadi told a Senate committee.

The minister said 38 more Kenyans are receiving treatment in various Russian hospitals under restricted access. He added that the number of missing nationals had increased from 10 to 16 within the past 24 hours, with their fate still unknown.

Mudavadi estimated that 165 Kenyans are actively involved in military operations, bringing the total number who have participated in the Ukraine conflict to over 250. He cautioned that the actual figure could be higher. Two Kenyans are currently held as prisoners of war in Ukraine.

The minister clarified that the recruits had signed contracts to serve either as logistics officers or in combat roles.

“Contrary to prevailing reports, the majority of Kenyans enlisted… with full knowledge and willingly,” Mudavadi said.

He explained that promises of lucrative compensation ranging from $11,500 (£8,700) to $23,000 upon joining, a monthly salary of up to $2,700, potential citizenship, and a hefty gratuity upon contract completion were major motivating factors.

Agencies based in Kenya, Russia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have been implicated in facilitating the recruitment.

The Kenyan government has opened an investigation into illegal enlistment of its nationals for the conflict. Mudavadi previously told the BBC that over 600 recruitment agencies suspected of misleading Kenyans with promises of overseas employment had been shut down.

Families of Kenyans believed to be fighting in Ukraine staged protests outside the Kenyan Parliament in Nairobi in February, demanding government intervention and the return of their relatives.

In mid-March, Mudavadi met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow to halt the recruitment of Kenyans into the Russian army. Following the discussions, both countries agreed to suspend enlistment.

“Citizens of Kenya, like citizens of other countries, have signed contracts with the Russian armed forces voluntarily,” Lavrov said during the talks.

Mudavadi assured lawmakers that the ministry continues to closely monitor the situation to ensure the safety of Kenyan nationals and prevent further exploitation.

Ukrainian intelligence estimates that over 1,700 people from 36 African countries have been recruited to fight for Russia. Ukraine is also actively seeking recruits worldwide, with a recent X post highlighting a Nigerian drone operative known as “Cobra.”

This situation raises growing concerns about the safety of Kenyan citizens recruited for foreign conflicts and the need for stricter oversight of recruitment agencies.