Kenya has opened investigations after reports emerged that some of its citizens were allegedly trafficked to Russia and are now being held as prisoners of war in Ukraine.
The probe follows the case of 36-year-old athlete Evans Kibet, who says he was tricked into joining the Russian military and later captured by Ukrainian forces.
In the official statement released, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei said Nairobi is working through its embassy in Moscow to verify the claims and gather more information.
“We are keenly following information on three or four Kenyans allegedly trafficked to Russia and currently held as POWs by Ukraine. We shall provide additional information,” he said.
How Kibet ended in Russia’s military camp
Kibet says he travelled to Russia as a tourist and was offered help with an expired visa and a job. He told Ukrainian soldiers he was handed documents in Russian, asked to sign, then had his passport and phone taken.
Within days he was driven to a military camp and told that having signed the papers he had no option but to serve. After a week of basic training he was sent to the frontlines; Kibet says he removed his uniform, fled into the forest and surrendered to Ukrainian forces.
“I joined the Russian military not knowing I was being recruited. I have never been in the military, and I have never wanted a military job,” Kibet says in video footage that surfaced after his capture.
He described being told, “You either serve or get killed,” and recalled how Ukrainian troops fed and sheltered him after he surrendered. He also pleaded publicly not to be returned to Russia.
Kenyan officials say they are treating the matter with urgency. Nairobi’s diplomatic team in Moscow is liaising with Russian authorities, and the foreign ministry is following up with Ukrainian counterparts to confirm the status and welfare of the men involved.
Families have been notified and officials say they will provide consular support as inquiries continue.
The allegations raise broader concerns about recruitment practices targeting foreign nationals, and they highlight the risks facing migrants and short-term visitors in conflict zones. Rights groups and diplomats have previously warned about deceptive recruitment tactics in conflict settings; if verified, Kenya’s reports could prompt calls for tighter consular warnings and more robust protections for citizens travelling to high-risk areas.
For now, Kibet’s case stands as a cautionary tale, an athlete who says a two-week tourist visit turned into forced military service and a desperate bid for survival. Kenyan authorities say they will publish findings as soon as investigations conclude.
