The man, identified as Evans, told Ukrainian authorities that he initially traveled to Russia as a tourist and had no intention of joining the military.
“I went to Russia just for a visit. I had no plans to be in the army. I never even served before,” Evans said.
He explained that shortly after arriving in Russia, an unidentified man offered him a place to stay.
After two weeks, the man promised him a job and handed him documents to sign. Evans later realized the papers were for enlisting in the Russian army.
“This man asked me, ‘Evans, do you like Russia?’ I said yes. Then he asked if I wanted to stay, saying he could help me,” Evans recalled.
Evans added that once he signed the papers, his passport, phone, and other personal documents were taken.
He was then taken to a military training center, where he underwent basic army training before being deployed to a main military camp, which he described as disorderly and unsafe.
“The conditions were very hard. I was not ready for this life,” he said.
Eventually, Evans fled from the camp and surrendered to Ukrainian soldiers, who gave him food and water.
The Kenyan government has not officially confirmed Evans’s identity or commented on his claims.
Kenya, which relies on Ukraine for grain imports and has received aid from Russia, continues to maintain neutral diplomatic relations amid the war.
President William Ruto has repeatedly called for peaceful solutions to the conflict.
Speaking during a farewell ceremony for the Ukrainian Ambassador, Ruto said diplomacy and dialogue were the only ways to end the war.
“Our position is clear: we support the UN Charter, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Dialogue, not fighting, is the path to peace,” Ruto said.
The war has disrupted trade and supplies, affecting grains, fuel, and fertilizers in Kenya and other countries.
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