President William Ruto has appealed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to facilitate the release of Kenyans currently detained in Ukraine over alleged involvement in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The phone conversation between the two leaders revolved around the alarming reports of young Kenyans being illegally recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war. Ruto expressed deep concern over the trend and called for joint efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of such deceitful recruitment schemes targeting vulnerable youths.
“I have requested President Zelenskyy to facilitate the release of any Kenyan in Ukrainian custody. I am grateful to His Excellency for acceding to my appeal,” President Ruto said after the call held from State House, Nairobi.
During their discussion, Ruto also commended Zelenskyy for organizing the upcoming Food Summit to be hosted in Ukraine later this month, emphasizing Kenya’s commitment to international cooperation and humanitarian dialogue.
The appeal comes amid reports of Kenyans being detained as prisoners of war after being caught fighting for Russian forces. Among them is Evans Kibet, a 44-year-old Kenyan who was allegedly arrested by Ukrainian troops along the Russia-Ukraine border.
In a viral video shared in September, Kibet claimed he was tricked into joining the Russian army after travelling to Russia under the guise of pursuing an athletic career. “I ended up in Russia without knowing that I had been enlisted in the army. I had never served before,” he said.
Last month, Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs began formal discussions with Ukrainian officials to secure the release and repatriation of detained citizens. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei met with Ukraine’s Ambassador to Kenya, Yurii Tokar, to ensure the affected Kenyans receive consular support and protection under international law.
The Kenyan government has since urged its citizens to avoid falling victim to fraudulent recruitment agencies promising lucrative overseas opportunities.
