African governments seek return of citizens captured fighting for Russia as recruitment claims widen

Kenya says five of its nationals are being held as prisoners of war and that it is pursuing their release through engagement with Ukrainian authorities.

Botswana is also seeking the return of one citizen, according to international reporting citing its foreign ministry.

The Kenyan government argues that some recruits were drawn abroad by false promises of employment before becoming involved in military operations.

Nairobi wants those circumstances considered in negotiations, including its proposal that the detained Kenyans be recognised as victims of international human trafficking.

According to The Star’s report on Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s 8 October parliamentary briefing⁠, Kenya is working through diplomatic channels and engaging the International Committee of the Red Cross. Bloomberg also reported Botswana’s request.

Kenya raises the issue with Zelenskyy

He told lawmakers that one Kenyan had been held since November 2025, while others were captured in March and April 2026.

“The government continues to pursue their release and repatriation through diplomatic channels,” Mudavadi said.

He also reported that the five had access to medical services and were being held in humane conditions. That assessment was presented by Kenya’s government; it was not independently established through a visit conducted for this article.

The broader recruitment problem extends beyond those currently detained. Mudavadi said Kenya had already facilitated the return of 62 nationals involved in the military operation.

Recruitment claims do not automatically settle prisoner status

Kenya’s trafficking argument raises a separate question from the treatment of people captured during combat.

Under international humanitarian law, members of armed forces captured by the opposing side generally qualify for prisoner-of-war protection. The International Committee of the Red Cross explains that this status provides safeguards governing their treatment and eventual release.

A government’s request to recognise deceptive recruitment does not, by itself, demonstrate that a prisoner’s legal classification has changed. Nor has a release timetable been publicly confirmed for the Kenyan or Botswanan citizens identified in the reports.