Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has disclosed the earnings of Kenyans recruited into the Russian military as calls for their rescue grow.
During a National Assembly session on April 1, 2026, Mudavadi shared that Kenya’s embassy in Moscow estimates about 252 Kenyans may have joined Russia’s Special Military Operations, although the actual figure could be higher. He reported that these recruits receive signing bonuses of up to Ksh3 million and monthly salaries reaching Ksh350,000.
So far, 47 Kenyans have been safely repatriated with the embassy’s assistance. Mudavadi confirmed that two Kenyans, Evans Kibet and Macharia Willi Muniu, are currently prisoners of war in Ukraine. The Kenya Honorary Consul in Kiev is actively visiting one detainee and seeking access to the second.
The government is in ongoing communication with Ukrainian authorities to ensure the safety and repatriation of captured Kenyans. Additionally, Kenya is engaging with Russia to facilitate the transfer of any Kenyan prisoners of war held in Ukraine back to their home country.
As of late March 2026, over 1,000 Kenyans had been lured into the conflict, including around 300 students and approximately 450 individuals working in various economic sectors. Investigations revealed that unregistered agencies and individuals in Kenya, Russia, and third countries like Qatar and the UAE were facilitating the recruitment, often using tourist visas and indirect travel routes to evade strict exit checks in Kenya.
Mudavadi noted that recruitment primarily targeted former security officers and unemployed individuals, with some current security personnel in the Middle East abandoning their roles to join Russian military efforts. He cautioned that ongoing instability in the Middle East could lead to further recruitment of Kenyans.
Contrary to some claims, Mudavadi stated that most recruits willingly joined the Russian military for financial incentives, including signing bonuses ranging from Ksh1.5 million to Ksh3 million and monthly salaries between Ksh50,000 and Ksh350,000, alongside promises of Russian citizenship and significant gratuities upon contract completion.
In response to the situation, Mudavadi led a delegation to Moscow from March 16 to 18, 2026, advocating for an end to recruitment, the repatriation of willing Kenyans, and improved consular access for those affected by the conflict. Following discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Kenya was placed on a stop list, halting further enlistments. Russia also agreed to enhance consular access, allow voluntary disengagement from military service, and expedite compensation for affected families.
Mudavadi affirmed that the government will persist in diplomatic efforts and enforcement actions until all Kenyans wishing to return are home and illegal recruitment networks are dismantled.
