At least 16 Kenyans who joined the Russian army are currently missing, the government has revealed, raising fresh concerns over the growing number of nationals caught up in the Ukraine war.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi told a Senate committee that the number of missing individuals had risen sharply from 10 to 16 within just 24 hours.
Their status remains unknown, with authorities unable to confirm whether they are alive or dead.
The update comes amid a broader disclosure that 165 Kenyans are actively involved in military operations linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine. In total, more than 250 Kenyans are believed to have participated in the conflict, though officials warn the real figure could be higher.
Mudavadi also revealed that 47 Kenyans have since returned home from the front lines, while 38 others are currently receiving treatment in hospitals in Russia under restricted access. Additionally, two Kenyans are being held by Ukrainian forces as prisoners of war.
According to the minister, most of those who enlisted did so voluntarily, signing contracts for roles ranging from logistics support to direct combat. He noted that the promise of lucrative pay – between $11,500 and $23,000 as a sign-on bonus, alongside monthly earnings of up to $2,700 – was a major draw.
Offers of citizenship and end-of-contract gratuities further incentivised recruitment.
Authorities say the enlistment process has been facilitated by a network of agencies operating across Kenya, Russia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. In response, Kenya has launched investigations into illegal recruitment schemes targeting vulnerable job seekers.
Earlier this year, the government shut down more than 600 agencies suspected of luring Kenyans abroad with false job promises. The crackdown followed protests in Nairobi, where families of those believed to be fighting in Ukraine demanded urgent government intervention and the safe return of their relatives.
In mid-March, Mudavadi travelled to Moscow for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, where both sides agreed to halt the recruitment of Kenyans into the Russian military.
However, Russian officials have maintained that foreign recruits sign up willingly.
The government says it is continuing to monitor the situation closely, with a focus on safeguarding Kenyan nationals and preventing further exploitation through deceptive recruitment channels.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian intelligence estimates that more than 1,700 individuals from 36 African countries have been recruited to fight for Russia, highlighting the increasingly global dimension of the conflict.
Ukraine has also stepped up its own international recruitment efforts, underscoring the war’s expanding reach beyond its borders.
