South Africa and Kenya are grappling with the involvement of their citizens in the ongoing war in Ukraine. On Thursday, South Africa confirmed that two of its citizens had died on the front lines of the conflict.
The South African Foreign Affairs Ministry clarified that the two deaths are separate from a group of 17 citizens who were previously tricked into fighting for Russia and have mostly been repatriated. Details on when or how the two individuals died were not disclosed. The ministry added that investigations into recruitment networks are ongoing to hold perpetrators accountable. Russian authorities have denied any illegal recruitment of African citizens.
Meanwhile, in Nairobi, a court charged Festus Arasa Omwamba, director of a recruiting company, with trafficking 25 Kenyans to Russia “for the purpose of exploitation by means of deception,” according to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Twenty-two of the victims were rescued from an apartment complex in Athi River, Machakos County, last September, while three others who had already gone to Russia reportedly ended up at the front lines of the conflict and returned with injuries. Omwamba has pleaded not guilty and remains in police custody pending a bail hearing.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that over 1,700 Africans are fighting for Russia, many of whom were allegedly deceived. Kenya’s National Intelligence Service reported that recruitment agencies colluded with rogue airport staff, immigration officials, and embassy staff to facilitate the travel of more than 1,000 Kenyans to fight in Ukraine. Russia’s embassy in Nairobi denied illegal recruitment, asserting that foreign citizens could voluntarily join its armed forces.
Kenya’s Foreign Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, plans to visit Russia in March to discuss the issue. The Kenyan government has confirmed that 27 citizens were rescued after being stranded in Russia.
