Kenya Responds After Video Shows Citizen Trafficked to Russia and Held as POW in Ukraine
Kenya is investigating reports that several of its citizens were trafficked to Russia and are now being held as prisoners of war in Ukraine.
The Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Dr. Korir Sing’Oei, confirmed on Saturday, September 20, 2025 that the government is monitoring the situation and will provide updates as soon as more information is available.
“We are following up on three or four Kenyans who were allegedly trafficked to Russia and are now being held as POWs by Ukraine. We shall provide more information. For now, we assure the families that our Mission in Moscow and our teams at HQ are on the matter,” Dr. Sing’Oei posted on X.
The issue came to light after a video surfaced showing Evans Kibet, a 36-year-old Kenyan athlete, pleading with Ukrainian soldiers not to send him back to Russia.
In the footage, Kibet explained that he was deceived into joining the Russian army and now feared for his life. He told Ukrainian forces that he had only traveled to Russia as a visitor but ended up in a military camp after unknowingly signing documents that led to his conscription.
Athlete’s story
Kibet’s case highlights the growing concern over foreign nationals being misled into fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war. According to the Ukrainian brigade that released the video, Kibet approached them unarmed and begged not to be shot. His case is unique as most foreign fighters captured in Ukraine face dire consequences.
Back home, his family was shocked and relieved to learn he was in Ukrainian custody and not Russian. Relatives described Kibet as a disciplined runner who had dedicated his life to athletics. He trained in Iten, a global hub for long distance runners, but financial struggles hindered his ability to compete internationally.
In March, he went to Europe in search of opportunities, hoping to race in Poland. Later, when a sports agent promised him a chance to compete in Russia, he accepted without realizing it would get him into a military conflict.
Kenyan authorities have assured the affected families that they are doing everything to establish the facts and secure the safety of their loved ones.
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Kenya Responds After Video Shows Citizen Trafficked to Russia and Held as POW in Ukraine