Kenya says 354 of its citizens were drawn into the Russia-Ukraine war
Figures given to Parliament show 84 killed or missing in action, 77 still on the front lines and 62 brought home. Nairobi wants them treated as victims of human trafficking.
Nairobi — A total of 354 Kenyans have been linked to the war between Russia and Ukraine, and 84 of them have been killed or are missing in action, according to figures the government has given to Parliament, The Standard reports.
The numbers were presented by Musalia Mudavadi, the prime cabinet secretary, who is also responsible for foreign and diaspora affairs.
Where they are now
According to the figures:
- 84 have been killed or are missing in action
- 77 remain on the front lines
- 38 are in camps
- 34 are in hospital
- 62 have been repatriated
- 5 are prisoners of war in Ukraine
- the location of 52 is unknown
One person is in detention and one has completed a military contract. The remains of four Kenyans are being held in Ukraine.
How they got there
The recruitment came to public attention in February, when Parliament heard that more than 1,000 Kenyans had been recruited. Recruiters targeted former members of the security services with promises of employment, the newspaper reports.
Mudavadi travelled to Moscow in March, and Kenya negotiated a "Stop List" with Russia to halt further enlistment. "The Embassy of Kenya in Moscow has since confirmed that no additional Kenyan nationals have been enlisted in the Special Military Operation following the implementation of the Stop List," he told Parliament.
Kenya's honorary consul has visited Kenyan prisoners held at a prisoner-of-war camp in Ukraine.
The government is asking that the Kenyans involved be considered victims of human trafficking under the Palermo Protocol, the UN agreement on trafficking in persons.
This report is based on reporting by The Standard.
