Number of Kenyans Fighting for Russia Rises Again, Mudavadi Reveals
The tally of Kenyan citizens recruited into the Russian military has climbed to 291, marking a significant increase in just over a month.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi provided this update to the Senate on Thursday. During his briefing, he suggested that the true figure likely surpasses the official count, as many Kenyans traveled to Russia independently without informing government authorities.
The new data, shared with the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, shows a jump from the 252 recruits Mudavadi reported to the National Assembly on April 1. This rising trend continues to draw attention to the movement of Kenyan nationals into foreign military service amidst ongoing global conflicts.
The foreign affairs minister informed senators that the recruitment figures could climb even higher as officials seek further confirmation from the active battlefield, where Kenyans now find themselves on the frontlines fighting Ukrainian forces.
The human cost of the conflict is becoming increasingly clear. So far, 53 Kenyans have returned home through repatriation, but many others remain unaccounted for. Authorities believe 19 Kenyans have died in the conflict, while 42 others are currently reported missing. Additionally, two Kenyan nationals are currently being held in Ukraine as prisoners of war.
Mudavadi shared his deep concerns regarding the methods Kenyans use to reach the conflict zone. He noted that many continue to enter Russia through dubious channels, often rerouting through North African countries to evade official oversight.
During the session, Senators pressed the ministry on what specific interventions they have launched to rescue those trapped in the crossfire. Mudavadi defended the government’s limitations, arguing that the intensity of the active war zone makes it impossible for diplomatic staff to reach the frontlines without facing extreme danger.
“It is also a war zone; drones are flying all over. You cannot expect Ambassador Mathuki to go to the war zone. It is not that easy. It is a very difficult situation,” said Mudavadi.
In mid-March, Mudavadi traveled to Moscow to engage in high-level diplomatic talks with Russian authorities. During these discussions, he and his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, reached a formal agreement to delist Kenyan nationals from serving in the Russian military.
The prime cabinet secretary informed Senators that the government is currently drafting new legislation designed to “tie all the loose ends” regarding illegal migration. These legal reforms aim to prevent recruitment into foreign conflicts and tighten oversight on how citizens seek work abroad.
Furthermore, the Kenyan government maintains active communication with the Russian embassy to facilitate compensation payments for those entitled to them. To encourage a safe return, the state currently offers a window for citizens to come home without facing legal repercussions for their involvement.
“The government has extended a measure of amnesty for Kenyans to come home. But going forward, this amnesty will not continue,” Mudavadi warned.
While the government views Russia as a high-risk destination, officials also flagged other dangerous corridors for Kenyans seeking irregular employment. These include the “Golden Triangle” in Southeast Asia, an area notorious for human trafficking and forced labor in cybercrime hubs, as well as specific routes through North Africa and the Gulf region.
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