Too little too late: Why Ruto has failed Kenyans trapped in Russia

President William Ruto’s late and seemingly reactive response to the plight of Kenyans illegally recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war has drawn intense criticism, as families and victims’ voices continue to cry out in desperation.

Despite the grave and widely publicised plight of Kenyans trapped and fighting a war they know nothing about, Ruto’s intervention comes only after extensive exposure by media investigations and overwhelming public outcry.

Ruto posted on his X-platform that he had a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, on Thursday evening, where he reportedly requested for the release of Kenyans detained in Ukraine. Whilst this is a welcome move, it is a crucial, yet belated diplomatic step. 

 “I have requested President Zelensky to facilitate the release of any Kenyan in Ukrainian custody. I am grateful to His Excellency for acceding to my appeal," said Ruto.  The two leaders also agreed to raise awareness on the dangers of travelling abroad under false job promises, with Ruto noting that they discussed other mutual interests including the Ukraine Food Summit.

However, Macharia Munene, a Professor in History and International Relations, scoffs at President Ruto's talks with Ukraine's leader Zeenksy. "Kenyans are suffering in Russia. Instead of facing Russian President Putin directly, President Ruto has gone to talk to Ukraine's president to negotiate with their enemy, the Russians to release Kenyans fighting in the front line!" 

He adds that it's not logical to expect sworn enemies to suspend a war, come to a table just because they want to discuss matters to do with Kenyan prisoners of war. "I think the biggest problem lies with whoever is advising President Ruto. If he speaks to President Zelensky, then he should just talk about Kenyans fighting in the Ukraine," says Professor Macharia. He also dittoes that by speaking to Zelensky,Ruto has basically submitted his powers to his Ukrainian counterpart.

This high-level talk followed investigative exposes by The Standard amid widespread reports revealing how numerous Kenyans were lured under false job offers, issued with tourist visas, and once in Russia, were forced into military service on the war frontlines with minimal training.

One victim recounted being told their “factory job was full” and coerced into signing military contracts written in Russian language they could not understand.

The intricate, disturbing details reveal Kenyans detained across multiple Russian military camps—Belgorod-Selo Novaya Tavolzhanka near the Ukrainian border, Istra Wagner Military base close to Moscow, St Petersburg camps, and Rostov-on-Don camp in occupied Ukrainian territory. The Kenyan embassy in Moscow has identified dozens of victims - some already rescued and returned - following joint efforts with families and government officials, but many remain trapped.

One heartbreaking case is that of Samuel Maina, a 31-year-old former Kenyan soldier lured by promises of a security guard job in Russia, only to be forced into the frontline with no military training. His family painfully recounted his last conversations, where he described poor conditions, loss of comrades, lack of pay, and repeated injuries sustained in battle. “He told me they were not being paid and that life was becoming unbearable. I just want my son back,” said his mother, Rahab Muthoni. Communication ceased suddenly in late October, leaving the family in anguish.

Despite official government claims of active diplomatic engagement, families’ appeals portray a haunting silence and unmet urgency. For example, the mother of Reuben Wangari Ndung’u, another victim recruited under false job promises, said: “The Embassy denied processing his visa and later threw us out, even after we had camped outside the premises seeking help.” The family has had no communication from him since early October and fears he may be trapped on the frontline, possibly captured by Ukrainian forces.

These tragic testimonies reveal a recurring pattern of government incompetence and ineffective consular protection. The Kenyan government’s awareness of the recruitment schemes and the victims’ existences reportedly dated back months before media exposure, yet apparent delays in concrete action worsened the victims’ suffering.

After several headline stories by ‘The Standard’ asking the government to take action, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said  that the government is working actively to secure safe passage for Kenyans.

Hundreds of young Kenyans have lost their lives or remain injured, with families living in limbo—unable to bury their dead or confirm whether they are alive. The government has also arrested some facilitators within Kenya and coordinated with Russia on repatriations, but the question remains why the initial government response, including President Ruto’s, was not swift given the scale and publicity.

City lawyer, Peter Wena says this crisis highlights critical gaps in Kenya’s  diplomatic strategy concerning vulnerable citizens overseas. "The government must do far more than post appeals and make symbolic phone calls to powerless presidents who can't do much to help Kenyans stuck in Russia. In-fact, their situations may now even take a turn for the worse. As Kenyans, we must demand for accountability for recruitment agents, urgent reaction by government,  and preventive campaigns warning citizens against predatory employment offers abroad," says Wena. His sentiments are also echoed by fiery Kisii Senator, Richard Onyonka.

"President William Ruto's late response—condemning it as reactive rather than proactive—came only after the issue had been publicly exposed and families had endured unbearable anguish. While diplomatic talks with President Zelensky represent a necessary step, the government’s delayed action contrasts to the urgent cries of thousands of Kenyans trapped halfway across the world in a deadly war they never chose to join," says Onyonka. 

The Standard has established that hundreds of young Kenyan men have died on the frontlines in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories after being duped into joining as soldiers. More than 26 Kenyans are recuperating in Russian military hospitals with severe injuries, including limb amputations and wounds from drone strikes.

The men were lured to travel to Russia by employment bureaus, some under investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) after arrests in Athi River on September 26. An intelligence-led operation raided Great Wall Apartments where 21 Kenyans were found being processed for travel to Russia. The agencies operated under the guise of offering employment but victims ended up in Russian military recruitment soon after arriving in St Petersburg.

A family in Kilimambogo, Kiambu County, pleaded with the Kenyan government to trace and bring back their son, Samuel Maina, a 31-year-old ex-Kenyan soldier lured on false job promises. His father said, “When he left Kenya, he told us he had secured a job with a security firm and would be working as a guard. But to his shock and that of his colleagues, they were trained for only five days and taken to fight in Ukraine.” His family hears desperate WhatsApp messages expressing hope to return home but communication ceased late October.

Samuel’s mother tearfully said, “He told me they were not paid and life was unbearable. I just want my son back.” The ex-KDF soldier survived a bomb attack but was forced back to the frontline despite injuries.

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky announced formation of the International Legion, which focused on the recruitment of foreign volunteers. Unlike the Russian approach which is seen as deceitful, the Ukranian International Legion’s recruitment is open and its  application process has footprints that can be auntheticated 

Meanwhile South Africa recently announced the launch of investigations after receiving distress calls from its citizens caught up in the Donbas frontlines.