16 Kenyans missing amid fears of recruitment into Russian military

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi appearing before the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations on March 28, 2026. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

At least 16 Kenyans are missing in Russia as the government raises concern over a growing number of citizens recruited into the country's military operations.

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi told the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations, on Thursday that some 16 Kenyans are missing in action, 38 are hospitalised, and many remain deployed in the conflict zone.