Kenya Seeks Safe Return of Four Citizens Trafficked to Fight in Ukraine War

Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is investigating reports that several Kenyan nationals were trafficked into Russia and later captured in Ukraine while allegedly serving in the Russian military.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei confirmed the inquiry, stating that officials are pursuing information on three to four individuals currently held as prisoners of war in Ukraine. Kenya’s diplomatic mission in Moscow is working with authorities in Nairobi to verify the cases and provide updates to the families involved.

One of the cases involves Evans Kibet, a Kenyan athlete whose experience was highlighted in a recent BBC report. In a video released by Ukrainian sources, Kibet claims he travelled to Russia as a tourist and was later misled by a local contact offering help with visa renewal and employment. 

According to Kibet, the job turned out to be a covert enlistment into the Russian military. He says he was made to sign documents in Russian and surrender his passport and phone before being taken to a training camp.

Kibet reports that after a few days of basic military drills, he was deployed to the front lines. He says he tried to resist but was threatened with death if he refused to serve. 

He eventually escaped, abandoning his uniform and crossing into Ukrainian-controlled territory, where he was detained and provided with food and shelter.

Ukrainian authorities have confirmed Kibet’s status as a prisoner of war under the Geneva Convention.

Officials in Kyiv have said they are open to engaging with the Kenyan government on the matter, though any potential release would need to follow legal procedures. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not provided a timeline for the completion of its inquiry but has pledged to continue working with affected families and international partners.