Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has revealed that Kenya secured a diplomatic intervention to stop further recruitment of its citizens into Russia’s military operation in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Mudavadi told Parliament that Kenya was placed on Russia’s “Stop List” following his official visit to Moscow in March 2026, effectively preventing the further enlistment of Kenyan nationals into the conflict.
He said the Kenyan Embassy in Moscow has since confirmed that no additional Kenyans have been enlisted in Russia’s military operation after the implementation of the Stop List.
“The visit also addressed consular access and the voluntary disengagement of Kenyans from military service, subject to applicable contractual arrangements,” Mudavadi said.
Mudavadi reveals 354 Kenyans linked to Russia-Ukraine war
Mudavadi further revealed that the government has records of 354 Kenyan nationals linked to the Russia-Ukraine crisis, highlighting the scale of the conflict’s impact on Kenyans.
Of those recorded, 77 are reported to be on the front lines, while 38 are in camps. Another 52 Kenyans are in unknown locations or have an unclassified status.
The government has also recorded 84 Kenyans as killed or missing in action, while 34 others are hospitalised.
Mudavadi said 62 Kenyans have already been repatriated, five are prisoners of war, one is in detention and another has completed a contract.
“The Government has records of 354 Kenyan nationals linked to the Russia-Ukraine crisis,” Mudavadi said in his response to Parliament.
The government has facilitated the safe repatriation of the 62 Kenyans who had been involved in the conflict.
The State Department for Diaspora Affairs is also documenting cases reported by families and coordinating tracing and verification efforts through Kenyan diplomatic missions.
Five Kenyans held as prisoners of war in Ukraine
Mudavadi revealed that five Kenyan nationals are currently being held as prisoners of war in Ukraine.
The government, through the Kenyan Embassy in Vienna, which is accredited to Ukraine, has been engaging Ukrainian authorities and Kenya’s Honorary Consul in Ukraine over their situation.
A consular visit to the Zakhid 1 prisoner-of-war camp found that the Kenyan detainees were being held in humane conditions, had access to medical services and were being treated in accordance with applicable rules governing prisoners of war.
Mudavadi said Kenya was pursuing their welfare, release and eventual repatriation through diplomatic channels, including engagement with the Ukrainian authorities and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The government is also considering advocating for Kenyans allegedly recruited through false promises of employment to be treated as victims of international human trafficking rather than solely as prisoners of war.
According to Mudavadi, the circumstances surrounding their recruitment and conscription are consistent with the definition of trafficking in persons under the Palermo Protocol.
Ruto speaks to Zelenskyy over Kenyans
Mudavadi also revealed that President William Ruto personally engaged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy through a telephone conversation over the plight of Kenyans caught up in the conflict.
Kenya has also made progress towards strengthening its diplomatic representation in Ukraine after Kyiv granted the required Agrément for Kenya’s ambassador.
Mudavadi said the strengthened diplomatic presence would enable Kenya to undertake more timely and effective interventions and follow up on cases involving Kenyan nationals in Ukraine.
Kenya strengthens measures against fraudulent recruitment
The government is also stepping up measures aimed at protecting Kenyans from deceptive recruitment and irregular migration.
The measures include sensitisation programmes under Diaspora Mashinani, pre-departure orientation for prospective migrant workers, verification of recruitment agencies and employment offers, stronger emergency assistance channels and encouraging Kenyans living abroad to register with Kenyan diplomatic missions.
Kenya is also pursuing bilateral labour agreements and Government-to-Government labour mobility frameworks through the Diaspora Placement Agency.
Mudavadi said the measures are intended to strengthen recruitment standards, contractual protections and the welfare of Kenyan migrant workers.
He said the government would continue combining welfare interventions with preventive measures to ensure Kenyans seeking opportunities abroad are protected from fraudulent recruitment and have access to appropriate consular support.
