NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 8— Kenya is seeking to have its nationals held as prisoners of war in Ukraine designated as victims of human trafficking, in a move the government says could improve their access to international assistance as it pursues their repatriation.

📻 Breaking It Down

The State Department for Diaspora Affairs said many of the Kenyans held in Ukraine reported being recruited into Russia’s military under false promises of employment, circumstances it said could meet the definition of trafficking under the UN Palermo Protocol.

The government said the proposed designation would also involve seeking to have their prisoner-of-war status revoked to allow them to access assistance under international standards applicable to trafficking victims.

“In the case of Kenyans held as prisoners of war, many of whom report having been recruited under false promises of employment, it is proposed that, while negotiating their repatriation, consideration be given to their designation as victims of international human trafficking,” Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi said in a response to Parliament.

📌 What You Need to Know

MFA said the circumstances surrounding their recruitment and conscription were consistent with trafficking in persons as defined under Article 3(a) of the Palermo Protocol, which Ukraine has ratified.

Five Kenyans are currently being held as prisoners of war in Ukraine, according to information provided by the Ukrainian Embassy in Vienna to Kenya on September 3, 2026.

They are Kibet Evans, detained since May 2025; Macharia Willi Muniu, detained since November 2025; Haron Kibet Pachenge, detained since March 2026; Joseph, detained since April 2026; and Ndarua Ndungu Francis.

The government said Kenya’s Honorary Consul in Ukraine had visited the Zakhid 1 prisoner-of-war camp and reported that the detainees were being held in humane conditions, with access to medical services and treatment in accordance with applicable rules governing prisoners of war.

Kenya is pursuing the matter through diplomatic channels, with the State Department engaging the country’s embassy in Vienna, which is accredited to Ukraine, as well as Ukrainian authorities.

President William Ruto has also personally raised the matter with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a telephone conversation, according to the government.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya