Kenya's Senate Postpones Hearing on Russia-Recruited Citizens After Officials Skip Testimony

Kenya's Senate adjourned a joint hearing into the recruitment of Kenyan citizens into Russia's military on September 15 after three government officials whose ministries are central to the inquiry failed to appear, according to Kenya's Parliament and a report by NTV Kenya. Seven relatives representing more than 800 affected families had traveled to Nairobi from Nyeri, Kericho, Nakuru, and elsewhere to testify before a joint sitting of the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare and the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations.

Officials No-Show

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi and Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua both cited a cabinet meeting in Kisumu, according to Parliament; the Attorney-General's office said the Attorney-General was out of town. Senator Karungo Thang'wa of Kiambu said receiving evidence from the families without the cabinet secretaries present would be "an academic exercise," and Senator Joe Nyutu of Murang'a agreed that the relevant state officers needed to be present as the petitioners made their case. The families supported the adjournment themselves, saying they wanted to engage the officials "eye to eye." The hearing was pushed to September 29.

More Than 1,000 Recruited, One Raid Found 22

Parliament said information before the committees indicated that more than 1,000 Kenyans may have been recruited into foreign military service. A raid at Great Wall Gardens in Athi River uncovered 22 people being processed for travel to Russia by two alleged Kenyan handlers, Parliament said. Recruiters reportedly lure victims with promises of Russian citizenship and salaries of about KSh350,000 a month, with signing bonuses of up to KSh1.2 million; Parliament said some recruits were stripped of their identity documents after arriving in Russia and forced into military service.

19 Confirmed Dead, 32 Missing - Families Say It's More

According to NTV Kenya, government figures put the number of Kenyans killed in the war at 19, with 32 more listed as missing as of May; families told the Senate they believe the real number is higher. According to NTV Kenya, no Kenyan killed in the fighting is known to have been repatriated. Kenya's Foreign Affairs Ministry has said in the past that whether a body can be brought home depends on where it is found, and that Kenya is working with Ukrainian authorities on this issue and the issue of Kenyan prisoners of war. It is worth mentioning that Ukraine's "I Want to Live" project identified 59 Kenyans killed in Russia's army - as of 25 June 2026.

Named Petitioners

Winnie Rose Wainaina told the committee her brother, Samuel Wainaina, has been missing since October 28, 2025, after being "duped" into traveling to Russia. Bibiana Wangari said her son died after traveling there. Other relatives at the hearing described family members held as prisoners of war in Ukraine or who disappeared after being sent to the front, according to Parliament.

A March Deal That Didn't Hold

Kenya and Russia reportedly reached an understanding in March meant to end the enlistment of Kenyans, according to NTV, but families say deaths and disappearances have continued since. The Kenyan government has repeatedly urged citizens to carry out due diligence before accepting job offers abroad, warning that promises of well-paid work have in some cases ended on the front line.

Get Out Safely

Kenyans and other foreign nationals currently serving in Russia's armed forces have an option to safely escape the battlefield with Ukraine's "I Want to Live" project. See our FAQ on how to safely surrender to Ukrainian forces.

Sources: NTV Kenya, Kenyan Parliament, BBC