Kenya demands repatriation of bodies, prisoners from Russia-Ukraine war

Kenya has demanded the repatriation of the bodies of its nationals killed and those captured as prisoners of war, as they reportedly fought for Russia in Ukraine.

This comes following revelations by Kenya’s prime intelligence agency, which informed parliament that over 1,000 Kenyans were currently fighting for Russia in the war in Ukraine, raising concerns about foreign recruitment and national security.

The figures represented a significant increase from November last year, when Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi informed lawmakers that approximately 200 Kenyans were fighting for Russia in the conflict.

Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’Oei, met with Russian Ambassador Vsevolod Tkachenko in Nairobi on Friday.

“During our talks, I conveyed the Government’s grave concern regarding Kenyan nationals currently caught up in the Russia-Ukraine conflict,” Sing’Oei said in a statement after the meeting.

“I called for unimpeded consular access to our citizens and sought clear, transparent protocols regarding the repatriation of both prisoners of war and the remains of the deceased,” he said.

“Our priority remains the safety and dignity of every Kenyan abroad. I welcomed the cooperation of the embassy in staving off any illegal recruitment of Kenyans,” he added.

Mudavadi is expected to visit Moscow in March as part of efforts to address issues regarding Kenyan nationals caught up in the war.

Moscow denied on Thursday that it recruited Kenyans to fight in Ukraine. The Russian Embassy in Nairobi said it noted “a dangerous and misleading propaganda campaign” in the media regarding the participation of Kenyans in the conflict.

According to Kenyan security officials, unlicensed recruitment agencies in the East African country are primarily to blame, with some operating outside formal oversight and allegedly defrauding job seekers with promises of security or construction work abroad.

Authorities stated that many recruits travel through other African countries before arriving in Russia, which complicates monitoring efforts.

African nations, including Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, have expressed alarm at the fate of their citizens recruited by Moscow.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said in November that at least 1,436 citizens from 36 African countries had been identified among the Russian ranks.

SOURCE: TRT Afrika