Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS) and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi has revealed that at least 16 Kenyans recruited into the Russian military are currently missing, raising alarm over what the government describes as deceptive enlistment into foreign combat operations.

Mudavadi disclosed the figures on Thursday, April 2, 2026, while appearing before the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations, where he provided an update on investigations into the controversial recruitment of Kenyan youth into the war in Russia.

“Under the current status of investigations into the reported deceptive recruitment of Kenyan citizens, I wish to respond as follows. Until yesterday, we had 10 Kenyans who had been reported missing in action. This number has now increased. We have a figure of 16 Kenyans,” Mudavadi told senators.

However, he cautioned that the status of those missing remains unclear.

“When we say missing in action, we cannot pronounce outrightly whether they are dead or whether they are captured or whatever,” he said.

Mudavadi further revealed that several Kenyans are currently hospitalised in Russia under restricted access, complicating efforts to establish their conditions.

At the same time, the government estimates that about 165 Kenyans remain deployed in what Moscow refers to as special military operations.

According to data from the Kenyan embassy in Moscow, approximately 252 Kenyans may have been enlisted in the Russian military, although Mudavadi noted that the actual number could be higher.

Despite the grim statistics, Mudavadi reported some progress in rescue efforts.

“The exact figure is yet to be conclusively established. To date, 47 Kenyans have been rescued, with the Kenyan Embassy in Moscow facilitating their safe repatriation home,” he confirmed.

Trapped in Ukraine

The government is also tracking cases of Kenyans captured in the conflict involving Ukraine. Mudavadi identified two individuals, Evans Kibet and Macharia Willi Muniu, as confirmed prisoners of war.

“The Kenya Honorary Consul in Kyiv has been making consular visits to one Kenyan held in Ukraine and has requested clearance to undertake a consular visit to a second Kenyan. At the moment, these are the only cases for which we have confirmed information,” the PCS said.

He added that Nairobi remains in active diplomatic engagement with Ukrainian authorities to ensure the safety and eventual repatriation of any Kenyan nationals captured during the fighting.

Kenya has also initiated talks with Moscow to explore possible arrangements for the transfer of Kenyan prisoners of war to Russia to facilitate their return home.

Mudavadi described the recruitment saga as a matter of national concern, pointing to growing evidence that many Kenyans were misled into joining the conflict.

Saving Kenyans

In response, the Kenyan government has moved to halt further enlistment. During a recent meeting in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Mudavadi announced a bilateral agreement barring the recruitment of Kenyans into the Russian military.

“We have now agreed that Kenyans shall not be enlisted in the Department of Defence, and they will no longer be eligible for enlisting in the military here in Russia,” he said.

Mudavadi emphasised that the decision was necessary to protect Kenya’s long-term diplomatic ties with Russia while addressing domestic outrage over the issue, describing the recruitment as an isolated incident, but acknowledged its serious implications for affected families.

He also assured that Kenyans already serving or injured in the conflict would receive support through diplomatic channels.

“Those who require assistance or hospitalisation due to injuries sustained in the line of duty will be facilitated as required by law,” he said.

The government now faces mounting pressure to fast-track investigations, secure the return of affected citizens, and hold accountable those behind the reported recruitment scheme.