Mudavadi: 252 Kenyans recruited to fight in Russia-Ukraine war, 47 repatriated

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has revealed that 252 Kenyans were recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war, with 47 already repatriated and two currently held as prisoners of war in Kyiv.

Mudavadi, who spoke after appearing before the National Assembly on Wednesday, said the government has since taken steps to curb the recruitment of citizens into foreign conflicts by stopping any further recruitment of Kenyans to Russia.

He disclosed that the two Kenyans being held as prisoners of war in Ukraine have been identified as Evans Kibet and Macharia Willi Muniu, adding that the Kenya Honorary Consul in Kyiv has been making efforts to access them.

“On the Prisoners of War, two Kenyans—Mr. Evans Kibet and Mr. Macharia Willi Muniu—are held by the Ukrainian authorities. The Kenya Honorary Consul in Kiev has been making consular visits to one Kenyan and has requested clearance to visit the second,” he said.

Mudavadi, who also doubles as the Prime Cabinet Secretary, added that Kenya has engaged the Ukrainian government to secure the safety and repatriation of any Kenyan captured in the conflict.

Mudavadi further revealed that during a recent visit to Moscow, Kenya reached an agreement with Russian authorities to halt further enlistment of Kenyans.

“I engaged and agreed with the Russian Minister to explore arrangements for Kenyans held as prisoners of war in Ukraine to be transferred to the Russian Federation to facilitate their subsequent repatriation to Kenya,” he said.

The CS noted that the recruitment has largely been driven by unregistered agents operating across multiple countries.

“It has been established that the recruitment is being conducted by unregistered agencies and individuals operating either in Kenya, Russia, or third countries like Qatar and United Arab Emirates,” he said, adding that many recruits are lured through tourist Visas and transit routes to evade scrutiny.

According to the CS, the recruitment mainly targets ex-security personnel and unemployed youth, with some Kenyans in the Middle East abandoning jobs to join the military operations.

“Contrary to prevailing reports, the majority of Kenyans enlisted… did so with full knowledge and willingly. They signed contracts to participate either as logistics officers or for combat,” he said.

He added that the promise of lucrative pay—ranging from Ksh.1.5 million to Ksh.3 million upon joining, alongside monthly earnings of between Ksh.50,000 and Ksh.350,000—has been a key driver.

Mudavadi further disclosed that authorities have deregistered 600 rogue recruitment agencies linked to the illegal deployment of Kenyans abroad.

“In Myanmar from 2022 to 2026, over 751 Kenyans have been rescued, 615 have been repatriated, 39 imprisoned for illegal entry, 97 in the immigration detention centre awaiting deportation,” he said.

The CS also highlighted ongoing efforts to rescue and repatriate Kenyans caught up in human trafficking and illegal migration networks across Asia.

In Cambodia, Mudavadi noted that, “From January to March 2026, 323 Kenyans have been rescued, 234 successfully repatriated and the remaining 89 are in the process of being repatriated as others are being rescued.”

In Thailand, he said 14 Kenyans are imprisoned for bearing false immigration stamps, adding that over time, three Kenyans have been reported in scam compounds.

Mudavadi said the government has since introduced stricter measures, including mandatory registration of recruitment agencies, pre-departure verification of job offers, and the establishment of a 24-hour call centre to authenticate overseas employment opportunities.

He added that Kenya is also seeking to strengthen legal frameworks, including acceding to international conventions against mercenarism and reviewing penalties for illegal recruitment, which currently stand at a Ksh.50,000 fine or three months’ imprisonment.

The revelations come amid growing concern over the exploitation of Kenyan job seekers through fraudulent recruitment schemes that lure victims into conflict zones and criminal networks abroad.

Two weeks ago, the State Department for Diaspora Affairs asked Parliament for an extra Ksh.400 million to help evacuate Kenyans stranded in conflict zones, particularly in the Middle East and those caught up in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Officials, led by Ambassador Hellen Gichuhi, Secretary of Diaspora Welfare and Partnerships, told the National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Affairs that the funds are needed to support urgent rescue efforts for vulnerable citizens abroad.

If approved, the allocation in the Supplementary Estimates will raise the department’s budget from Ksh.717.8 million by an additional Ksh.400 million.