NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 8 — At least 84 Kenyans have been killed or remain missing in connection with the Russia-Ukraine war, while a total of 354 Kenyan nationals have been identified by the government as having become involved in the conflict.

📻 Breaking It Down

The figures released by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs show the scale of Kenyan involvement in the war, with dozens still on the front lines, in military camps, hospitals or at unknown locations.

According to the government’s latest records, 77 Kenyans are on the front lines, while another 38 are in camps.

A further 52 Kenyans are listed at unknown locations or have yet to be classified, raising concerns over the whereabouts and welfare of dozens of nationals caught up in the conflict.

📌 What You Need to Know

The government has recorded 34 Kenyans as hospitalised, while 62 have been repatriated to Kenya.

Five Kenyans are currently being held as prisoners of war in Ukraine, while one is in detention and another has completed their military contract.

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi told Parliament that families often approach the government only after losing contact with relatives believed to be in Russia, making early reporting critical to tracing and verification efforts.

“It has been noted that families tend to engage with the State Department often after communication with their relatives in the Russian Federation has been disrupted or ceased. We encourage families to engage the Department as soon as possible,” Mudavadi said.

The figures were contained in its response to a parliamentary petition concerning the recruitment of Kenyan nationals into the Russian military and the detention of Kenyans in Ukrainian prisons.

The government said Ukrainian authorities confirmed on September 3 that five Kenyan nationals were being held as prisoners of war.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya