Sixteen Kenyans missing in Russia after army recruitment for Ukraine, Musalia Mudavadi says

Sixteen Kenyans are missing in Russia after joining the country's army, Kenya's foreign affairs minister has said, while 47 others have returned home from the front lines in Ukraine. Thirty-eight others are currently in different Russian hospitals under restricted access, Musalia Mudavadi told a Senate committee meeting. He added that the number of missing Kenyans had risen from 10 to 16 within the last 24 hours. It remains unclear whether they are dead or alive. The minister also estimated that 165 Kenyans are actively involved in military operations, bringing the total number who have participated in the conflict in Ukraine to more than 250. Mudavadi said the total number could be higher. He added that two Kenyans are being held by Ukraine as prisoners of war. He said the recruits had signed contracts to serve either as logistics officers or in combat roles. "Contrary to prevailing reports, the majority of Kenyans enlisted… with full knowledge and willingly," Mudavadi told the committee of lawmakers. He said that promises of "lucrative compensation" ranging from $11,500 (£8,700) to $23,000 upon joining, plus a monthly salary of up to $2,700, as well as the possibility of citizens