NewzNAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 8 — At least 84 Kenyans have been killed or remain missing in connection with the Russia-Ukraine war, while a total of 354 Kenyan nationals have been identified by the government as having become involved in the conflict. The figures released by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs show the scale of Kenyan involvement in the war, with dozens still on the front lines, in military camps, hospitals or at unknown locations. According to the government’s latest records, 77 Kenyans are on the front lines, while another 38 are in camps.
A further 52 Kenyans are listed at unknown locations or have yet to be classified, raising concerns over the whereabouts and welfare of dozens of nationals caught up in the conflict. The government has recorded 34 Kenyans as hospitalised, while 62 have been repatriated to Kenya. Five Kenyans are currently being held as prisoners of war in Ukraine, while one is in detention and another has completed their military contract.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi told Parliament that families often approach the government only after losing contact with relatives believed to be in Russia, making early reporting critical to tracing and verification efforts. “It has been noted that families tend to engage with the State Department often after communication with their relatives in the Russian Federation has been disrupted or ceased. We encourage families to engage the Department as soon as possible,” Mudavadi said.
The figures were contained in its response to a parliamentary petition concerning the recruitment of Kenyan nationals into the Russian military and the detention of Kenyans in Ukrainian prisons. Five Kenyans held as POWs The government said Ukrainian authorities confirmed on September 3 that five Kenyan nationals were being held as prisoners of war. They are Kibet Evans, detained since May 2025; Macharia Willi Muniu, detained since November 2025; Haron Kibet Pachenge, detained since March 2026; Joseph, detained since April 2026; and Ndarua Ndungu Francis.
Kenya said its Honorary Consul in Ukraine had visited the Zakhid 1 prisoner-of-war camp and reported that the detainees were being held in humane conditions, with access to medical services and medical care. The government is seeking to have the five Kenyans considered as potential victims of human trafficking,… NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 8— Kenya is seeking to have its nationals held as prisoners of war in Ukraine designated as victims of human trafficking, in a move the government says could improve their access to international assistance as it pursues their repatriation.
The State Department for Diaspora Affairs said many of the Kenyans held in Ukraine reported being recruited into Russia’s military under false promises of employment, circumstances it said could meet the definition of trafficking under the UN Palermo Protocol. The government said the proposed designation would also involve seeking to have their prisoner-of-war status revoked to allow them to access assistance under international standards applicable to trafficking victims. “In the case of Kenyans held as prisoners of war, many of whom report having been recruited under false promises of employment, it is proposed that, while negotiating their repatriation, consideration be given to their designation as victims of international human trafficking,” Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi said in a response to Parliament.
Summary from source