Two Kenyans identified as prisoners of war in Ukraine

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi said the government has positively identified two Kenyans currently detained by Ukrainian authorities after being involved in Russia’s special military operations.

“Our ministry has positively identified two Kenyans, namely Evans Kibet and Macharia Willis Muniu, as being held as prisoners of war by the Ukrainian authorities,” Mudavadi said in a press statement issued from Moscow.

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The government is now seeking diplomatic arrangements that could help secure their return to Kenya. Mudavadi said he asked Russian authorities to explore possible avenues to facilitate the transfer of the two prisoners.

“I requested Moscow 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 disclosure comes as the Kenyan government continues to assess the scale of involvement of its citizens in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

According to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, an estimated 252 Kenyans have been conscripted into Russian special military operations linked to the war.

“Our Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs estimates that two hundred and fifty-two Kenyans had been conscripted into Russian special military operations against Ukraine,” Mudavadi said.

Some of the individuals are believed to be former members of Kenya’s disciplined services, including personnel from the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, National Youth Service and Kenya Prisons Service.

Kenya’s diplomatic mission in Moscow has been monitoring the situation and coordinating assistance for affected citizens. According to the government, 44 Kenyans have already been repatriated back to the country.

“We note through our mission in Moscow that forty-four of our nationals have been safely repatriated back home,” Mudavadi said.

However, dozens of others remain affected by the conflict. At least 38 Kenyans are currently hospitalised in various Russian hospitals, with limited access to the facilities.

Meanwhile, 160 Kenyan nationals are believed to still be actively involved in the operations. The government has also confirmed that ten Kenyans have been reported either missing in action or killed in action during the conflict.

“The Russian authorities have confirmed ten Kenyans are reported to be missing in action or killed in action and have requested details of their next of kin to facilitate compensation,” Mudavadi said.

The Kenyan government is now working to identify relatives of the deceased so that compensation arrangements can be processed. Russian authorities have also indicated willingness to consider repatriating the remains of those who died in the conflict.

Mudavadi said the process may depend on the availability of direct air travel between Russia and Kenya. Beyond diplomatic engagement, the government plans to launch a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at preventing Kenyans from falling victim to illegal recruitment networks.

The programme, dubbed “Linda Mkenya Majuu,” will educate citizens about legitimate job opportunities abroad and the risks associated with human trafficking and smuggling.

“Once back at home, I will announce plans by our ministry together with other stakeholders to embark on a sensitisation programme dubbed ‘Linda Mkenya Majuu’,” Mudavadi said.

The initiative will also encourage Kenyans travelling abroad to comply fully with the laws and regulations of their host countries.