Kenya has recorded 84 of its citizens as killed or missing in the Russia-Ukraine war, Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi told lawmakers on Thursday.
Appearing before a joint Senate committee on labor and defense, Mudavadi, who also serves as prime cabinet secretary, said 354 Kenyans have been documented as involved in the conflict.
“The ministry has records of 354 Kenyan nationals involved in the Russian-Ukraine crisis and the record is as follows,” he told senators.
“On the front lines, we have indications of 77. In camp, 38. Those who are in unknown locations or unclassified, it’s estimated at 52. Those killed or missing in action, 84.”
Mudavadi said 34 Kenyans had been hospitalised, 62 repatriated, five identified as prisoners of war, one detained and another had completed a military contract.
He said some families only approach authorities after losing contact with relatives in Russia, complicating efforts to establish their whereabouts.
“We therefore encourage families to engage with the department as soon as possible,” he said.
Mudavadi said the State Department for Diaspora Affairs collects identification and travel details before referring cases to Kenya’s Embassy in Moscow for verification.
Russia halted new recruitment
Mudavadi told lawmakers that his visit to Moscow in March 2026 resulted in Kenya being placed on a Russian military recruitment stop list intended to prevent further enlistment of Kenyan nationals.
“During my official visit to Moscow in March this year, 2026, we secured Kenya’s inclusion on Russia’s stop list,” he said.
“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.”
Mudavadi said Russian authorities were considering requests to terminate military contracts individually, with decisions resting with military unit commanders.
He also said Russia’s Defense Ministry had declined to cover the cost of returning the remains of deceased Kenyans, leaving Nairobi to negotiate burial, cremation or repatriation arrangements with Russian authorities and affected families.
Kenya is also engaging Ukrainian authorities through its embassy in Vienna, which is accredited to Ukraine, over Kenyan nationals detained during the conflict.
The Senate committee is examining concerns surrounding the recruitment of Kenyans into Russia’s military and efforts to locate and bring home those affected by the war.
