Govt gives breakdown of Kenyans recruited into Russia-Ukraine war
By Mabonga Makhanu, July 15, 2026Principal Secretary, State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Njogu, has revealed that 153 Kenyans recruited into the Russian military remain unaccounted for, with 69 others confirmed killed in action or reported missing while fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Speaking during an interview with a local media station on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Njogu said the government has so far identified 289 Kenyans who were recruited into the Russian military, based on reports received from families and the individuals themselves.
According to the PS, 64 Kenyans have since been repatriated and returned home, while 69 have either been killed in action or are listed as missing in action, based on information provided by the Russian government.
She added that the remaining 153 Kenyans are believed to be on the front lines or in military camps, or their whereabouts remain unknown, with the government continuing efforts to establish their exact status.
“Our records right now show there are 289 Kenyans who have at some point been recruited. Of those, 64 have been repatriated and returned home. Sixty-nine have been killed in action or are missing in action, and these are numbers provided directly by the Russian government. The remaining 153 are either on the front lines, in a camp somewhere, or their status is unknown,” Njogu said.
Foreign militaries
The Foreign Affairs PS emphasised that Kenya is not a party to the Russia-Ukraine war, warning that it is illegal for Kenyan citizens to enlist in a foreign military without the approval of the president.
She cited Section 68 of the Penal Code, which criminalises joining a foreign armed force without presidential authorisation.
“It is illegal for a Kenyan to enlist in a foreign army without the clearance of the president. Kenya is not a party to this conflict,” she said.
Government action
She cautioned Kenyans against being lured into joining foreign militaries, noting that armed conflicts carry an extremely high risk of death and serious injury.
“Armed conflict necessarily means that people are dying. People are getting maimed. The likelihood of dying is very high,” she said.