Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei has confirmed that four Kenyans are being detained as prisoners of war in Ukraine after being trafficked to fight for Russia. He revealed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Kenyan Mission in Moscow, is handling the matter with urgency and in close coordination with other partners.
The PS said the government was aware of the plight of its citizens and assured families that everything possible was being done. He noted that three or four Kenyans had fallen victim to what appears to be a trafficking scheme that forced them into joining the Russian army without their knowledge or consent.
One of the cases has now drawn worldwide attention after a video surfaced of Evans Kibet, a young aspiring athlete from Kenya. He was captured by Ukrainian soldiers and pleaded in an interview not to be returned to Russia. He explained that he had been tricked with a promise of work, only to realize too late that he had been enlisted into the Russian military.
Kibet said that after arriving in Russia, he was asked to sign documents to extend his stay. Immediately after signing, his passport and phone were confiscated. Soon after, unknown men arrived and took him to a military training center. He recalled the training camp as chaotic and claimed he had no military background and no desire to fight.
According to his account, conditions in the Russian camp were unbearable. He eventually escaped and surrendered to Ukrainian soldiers, who gave him food and water. His case has since exposed how innocent Kenyans may be lured into war through deceitful promises.
On Saturday, September 20, Ukraine confirmed that discussions with Kenya were possible regarding Kibet’s fate. However, the Ukrainian government stated that he would remain a prisoner of war under the Geneva Convention unless the courts made a different ruling.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has promised to provide updates as soon as more information becomes available. Families of the victims are hopeful that President William Ruto’s administration will succeed in negotiating their release and safe return home.
As the Russia-Ukraine war continues, the case highlights how young people can be targeted by traffickers and placed in dangerous conflicts far from home. For now, Kenya is pushing to bring its citizens back and ensure justice is served against those behind the scam.
Link.
https://x.com/Kenyans/status/1969830234590462326?t=mnGxnmC_i1-EfLrKZI0xsA&s=19
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