16 Kenyans are now missing in action in Russia, with 163 currently in hospitals under restricted access and an estimated 165 deployed in Russian military operations, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi told the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations on Thursday.
He said that 47 Kenyans have been rescued with the assistance of the Kenyan embassy in Moscow, while two remain as prisoners of war in Ukraine.
Mudavadi added that about 252 Kenyans were recruited into Russian military operations, with the majority enlisting voluntarily due to lucrative contracts offering salaries between Sh50,000 and Sh350,000 per month, joining bonuses of Sh1.5 to 3 million, and promises of citizenship and gratuity upon completion.
Speaking before the committee, Mudavadi emphasized that while some Kenyans may have been misled, “majority of Kenyans enlisted in the special military operations in Russia, with full knowledge and willingly.”
He further clarified that not all Kenyans in Russia are involved in the conflict, noting that “there are about 1,000 Kenyan nationals living and working in Russia… 300 are students, and 450 are employed in productive economic jobs, and they're not under any threat whatsoever.”
Mudavadi also outlined the multi-agency response led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) alongside the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Labor, and Diaspora, which has already resulted in the arrest of two individuals charged with human trafficking for irregularly recruiting Kenyans into Russian military operations.
He stressed the importance of public advisories and verification protocols for overseas employment, urging Kenyans to consult official institutions before engaging in work abroad.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary also highlighted Kenya’s proactive interventions in Southeast Asia, particularly in Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia, where Kenyans have been victims of deceptive recruitment and human trafficking.
From 2022 to 2026, over 751 Kenyans have been rescued from Myanmar’s Golden Triangle, with 615 successfully repatriated. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, 323 Kenyans were rescued from Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, with 234 already returned home and 89 awaiting repatriation.
Mudavadi reiterated that the Kenyan government is pursuing bilateral agreements to ensure safe labor mobility, consular access, and structured mechanisms to protect citizens from exploitation abroad.
“The government is constantly working to rescue these Kenyans… but it is important that citizens exercise responsibility and avoid putting themselves in harm’s way,” he said, stressing that taxpayer resources fund these operations.
This update comes amid growing concern over illegal recruitment networks exploiting vulnerable Kenyans abroad, highlighting both the scale of the problem and the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens.
