Despite horrific experiences by colleagues trapped in the war zone, another 33 Kenyans have been recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine, lured by prospects of a big payout.
And the Kenyan casualties are rising, with the latest government report revealing eight have been reported either missing or dead, and the fate of another 27 is unclear.
With returnees reporting that those killed in action are buried in mass graves, there is apprehension that the missing may never be traced in case they died on the front line.
The latest disclosures are in a confidential brief by Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi dated February 9.
“As of January 23, 2026, the Mission has identified a total of 95 Kenyans involved in the Russian military operation. Out of these, 27 have been repatriated, eight are reported missing in action or deceased, 33 are new conscripts, while 27 remain of unknown status,” the statement says.
The statement says at least 200 Kenyans may have been recruited so far, citing reports obtained by the Kenyan embassy in Moscow from several Kenyans prior to their repatriation.
“Some of these individuals are believed to be former members of disciplined services, including the Kenya Defence Forces, the National Youth Service, and the Prisons Service,” Mr Mudavadi states.
The document notes that a number of recent recruits appear to be former members of Kenyan security services who voluntarily signed military contracts fully aware of the obligations involved.
However, some are said to plan desertion after receiving initial financial payments and later seek the Mission’s assistance to facilitate their departure.
“This trend presents reputational and diplomatic risks, as the Mission could be perceived as facilitating actions that may be interpreted by the host authorities as fraudulent or in bad faith,” Mr Mudavadi observes.
According to information shared with the embassy, recruits receive an initial payment of approximately 2.6 million rubles (Sh4.4 million) within three weeks of contract signing, followed by a monthly remuneration of about 320,000 rubles (Sh540,014).
In cases of injury or death, compensation of 3 million rubles (Sh5 million) and 14 million rubles (Sh24 million), respectively, is reportedly stipulated in their contracts.
“The Ministry is yet to establish whether any Kenyan national has received their full entitlements as stipulated in their contracts,” the document adds.
“The prospect of financial incentives has contributed to growing participation,” Mr Mudavadi notes, cautioning Kenyans against being enticed by promises of lucrative pay.
Clinton Nyapara Mogesa who has been fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Photo credit: Pool
In July and August 2025, the Kenyan embassy had received several reports from Kenyans “who sustained injuries while in conflict zones, as well as from others who indicated they were stranded in St. Petersburg after disengaging from recruitment processes.”
“The embassy continues to monitor these reports closely and remains in contact with relevant authorities to ensure the safety and welfare of Kenyan citizens in the Russian Federation,” the statement adds.
The accounts of Kenyan nationals indicate the possible existence of recruitment networks operating both in Kenya and in the Russian Federation.
Upon arrival in Russia, recruits are reportedly received by local contacts who facilitate logistics, including airport reception, accommodation, and transfer to designated holding facilities prior to deployment.
They are said to be assisted in signing contracts and opening bank accounts in Russian rubles for the processing of payments.
The government has formally written to the Russian Federation seeking to have Kenya placed on what it terms a “military recruitment stop list” to prevent further enlistment of Kenyan nationals.
“We have written to the Russian Federation to put Kenya in the military recruitment stop list,” Mr Mudavadi says, adding that diplomatic engagements are ongoing.
The government admits it is facing mounting diplomatic and security challenges in handling cases of Kenyans recruited into foreign military service, with concerns over deaths, desertions and strained relations with host authorities.
Service members of the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces during their first military drill as recruits, near a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, December 12, 2025.
Photo credit: Andriy Andriyenko | Reuters
In the document detailing emerging challenges, the Cabinet Secretary reveals that the ministry continues to receive inquiries from families of Kenyans reported missing or killed in action.
“The Mission has been informed by the Kenyans who have been rescued safely back to Kenya that the deceased have been buried in mass graves with minimal chance of retrace, however, the Mission continues to engage the Russian Government,” it says.
Mr Mudavadi describes the trend as a “significant diaspora protection challenge”, warning that recruitment of Kenyans into foreign military operations is neither facilitated nor sanctioned by the Government of Kenya.
“There is no bilateral agreement on military cooperation between Kenya and the Russian Federation. Recruitment of Kenyans into foreign military operations is not authorised by the Government,” he says.
“At least four Kenyan nationals have been officially identified as prisoners of war in Ukrainian custody. The Ministry continues to liaise with Ukrainian authorities and Kenya’s Mission in Vienna (accredited to Ukraine) to ensure humane treatment and expedited return of affected citizens,” he said.
In one widely reported case, a Kenyan who had travelled under what he claimed were false pretences was later captured by Ukrainian forces and remains in custody. Ukrainian defence authorities have also confirmed the deaths of three Kenyans near the frontline in eastern Ukraine.
Speaking to the Nation , Mr Mudavadi said he is scheduled to travel to Russia for high-level talks aimed at addressing concerns over the recruitment of Kenyans into the Russian army.
Some Kenyans have been recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine.
Photo credit: Pool
Dr Mudavadi said his visit to Moscow will focus on verifying the status of Kenyans reportedly admitted in Russian hospitals, negotiating the unconditional release of those held in captivity in Ukraine, and initiating discussions on a formal bilateral labour agreement between Nairobi and Moscow.
“The high-level engagements will include negotiations for the unconditional release of all Kenyans recruited into the Russian army. This should pave the way for the establishment of a Bilateral Labour Agreement with Russia, which will ensure access to legal, genuine, dignified and safe job opportunities in Russia,” said Mr Mudavadi.
A previous brief prepared by Ambassador Peter Mathuki and addressed to Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei on September 26, 2025, listed the names of at least 83 Kenyans in Russian military operations, indicating some as dead, others injured, and most desperately struggling to escape the war zone.
According to the brief, the Kenyans are stationed across multiple locations, including Belgorod, Istra (Wagner Military Base), Saint Petersburg, Rostov-On-Don, and other unknown locations.
It stated that some 20 Kenyans have been in Belgorod, Selo Novaya Tavolzhanka, which is located 700 km from Moscow, since August 2025.
Another 29 Kenyans were at Istra, a Wagner military base some 80km from Moscow.
And since July, some 26 Kenyans have been in Saint Petersburg, 700km from Moscow.
Since June, two Kenyans had been deployed in Rostov-on-Don, some 1, 000 km from Moscow.
