Mudavadi Faces Questions Over Kenyans Caught in Russia-Ukraine War
Families represented by petitioners challenged the figures, arguing that the actual number of affected citizens could be significantly higher.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has faced questions over the number of Kenyans caught up in the Russia-Ukraine war. Photo: The Standard Newspaper.
By Robert Mutasi
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has faced questions over the number of Kenyans caught up in the Russia-Ukraine war, following a dispute between the government and families seeking information about their missing relatives.
The disagreement emerged during a joint Senate committee session on October 8, 2026, where Mudavadi presented the government’s figures on Kenyans recruited into Russian military operations.
Families represented by petitioners challenged the figures, arguing that the actual number of affected citizens could be significantly higher.
Mudavadi, who also serves as Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, said the government had verified records for 354 Kenyans linked to the conflict.
However, representatives of affected families presented a list containing 841 names, raising concerns about gaps in official records and the difficulties of tracing those who travelled abroad through unofficial recruitment channels.
The families have called for greater clarity on the whereabouts of Kenyans who travelled to Russia after reportedly being promised employment opportunities but later found themselves involved in military operations.
The dispute has renewed scrutiny of the government’s efforts to establish the full number of Kenyans recruited into the conflict and secure the return of those who want to come home.
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