Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi has revealed that 16 Kenyans are missing in Russia after joining the country’s army, while 47 others have returned home from the front lines in Ukraine.
Addressing a Senate committee meeting, Mudavadi disclosed that another 38 Kenyans are currently in various Russian hospitals under restricted access. The number of missing persons has increased from 10 to 16 within the last 24 hours, and it remains unclear whether they are alive or dead.
The minister estimated that 165 Kenyans are actively involved in military operations, bringing the total number who have participated in the Ukraine conflict to more than 250. Mudavadi noted that the actual figure could be higher. He also confirmed that two Kenyans are being held as prisoners of war by Ukraine.
The recruits signed contracts to serve either as logistics officers or in combat roles. According to the minister, recruitment agencies based in Kenya, Russia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates are behind the enlistment scheme. Kenya has launched an investigation into the illegal recruitment of its nationals to fight in the war in Ukraine.
Source: BBC Africa
Photo: BBC Africa
