Number of Kenyans recruited in Russian army rises to 291 as 19 die in battlefield

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Thursday told the Senate that the number could be higher, as an unknown number of Kenyan citizens went to Russia without notifying the government. 

The number presented to the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare is a rise from 252 that Mudavadi presented to the National Assembly on April 1. 

The Foreign Affairs minister told Senators that the number could rise upon further confirmation from the active battlefield where Kenyans are on the frontline fighting Ukrainian forces. 

So far, 53 Kenyans have been repatriated, and 19 are believed to have died, and 42 others are reported missing. 2 other Kenyans are being held in Ukraine as prisoners of war. 

Mudavadi raised concerns that Kenyans continue to go to Russia through dubious ways, with some rerouting through North African countries. 

The Senators questioned the ministry’s interventions to save Kenyans caught on the battlefield. In his defence, Mudavadi argued that the active war zone would pose a threat to mission staff if they were to go to the frontline. 

“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 the Foreign Affairs minister. 

In mid-March, Mudavadi travelled to Moscow in an effort to hold diplomatic talks with Russian authorities.

With his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, the two ministers reached an agreement to delist Kenyans from serving in the Russian military. 

The Prime CS has further told Senators that Kenya is coming up with more legislation to “tie all the loose ends” in illegal migration. 

In addition, the Kenyan government is in touch with the Russian embassy to ensure that compensation is paid where due. 

“The government has extended a measure of amnesty for Kenyans to come home. But going forward, this amnesty will not continue,” Mudavadi warned. 

While Russia continues to be a high-risk destination, the government has also identified the Golden Triangle in Southeast Asia, the North-African Route and the Gulf as risky areas for Kenyans seeking irregular job opportunities.