NAIROBI, Kenya – Families of Kenyan nationals caught up in the Russia-Ukraine war may soon find relief after Ukraine agreed to assist in repatriating citizens detained in areas affected by the conflict.
The development follows diplomatic talks between Ukraine’s Ambassador to Kenya Yurii Tokar and Judy Njau, Kenya’s Deputy Director-General for Europe and the Commonwealth at the State Department for Foreign Affairs.
According to the ministry, the discussions centred on consular assistance and the repatriation of Kenyans currently under Ukrainian custody.
Ambassador Tokar confirmed that the process is underway, though he declined to give specific details.
“At this stage, I am not in a position to share specific details, but once the process advances and verified information becomes available, it will be communicated through the appropriate official sources,” he said.
The meeting also covered broader bilateral issues, including educational partnerships, food security, and consular cooperation.
Friday’s talks come weeks after Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei met the Ukrainian envoy on October 6, where Kenya formally sought help to secure the safe return of its citizens.
Dr Sing’oei said the government was engaging Ukrainian authorities after receiving reports that several Kenyans had been captured while fighting alongside Russian forces.
“Most of those involved were victims of manipulation and trafficking. The government is doing everything possible to protect vulnerable Kenyans,” he said.
One of the best-known cases is that of Evans Kibet, a 36-year-old athlete who said he was duped into joining the Russian army.
Kibet was reportedly captured by Ukraine’s 57th Motorised Infantry Brigade in the Kharkiv region after surrendering. He claimed he unknowingly signed recruitment documents written in Russian.
Several families have in recent months come forward to report missing relatives believed to have travelled to Russia for work but ended up on the frontline. Many have not been heard from for months and are feared dead, injured, or detained.
Jane Wangari, whose son Reuben Ndung’u left Kenya in August to “work as a guard” in Russia, said he was instead sent to a military training camp and later deployed to fight.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi also said last week that Nairobi had opened talks with Moscow to secure the release of Kenyans stranded or detained across Russian territories.
“Kenya and Russia officials held a crucial meeting last month,” Mudavadi said in a statement. “They agreed to facilitate Kenyans detained in various military camps to reach our mission in Moscow, from where arrangements can be made for their return home.”
He added that the Kenyan embassy in Moscow is working to establish the exact number of nationals being held in Russia.
The government has not disclosed how many Kenyans are affected on either side of the war, but officials say repatriation efforts are being coordinated through diplomatic channels.
