Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora
Affairs Musalia Mudavadi/HANDOUTThe government has safely rescued and repatriated 18 Kenyans who were
stranded in the Russian Federation after being recruited to fight in the
ongoing Russia–Ukraine war, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for
Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has said.
In an official update on the repatriation of Kenyans illegally recruited
into the Russian military, Mudavadi said the successful repatriation followed
decisive diplomatic and consular interventions by the Ministry of Foreign and
Diaspora Affairs, working through Kenya’s mission in Moscow.
“The Government affirms that through these interventions, 18 Kenyan citizens
have been successfully rescued, issued with Emergency Travel Documents, and
safely repatriated to Kenya,” he said, noting that details of the affected
individuals, including travel documentation, dates of travel and airlines used,
have been recorded.
Mudavadi said the rescued Kenyans will receive psycho-social support and
assistance to help them reintegrate into society.
“The Government has a fully-fledged counselling unit that offers
psycho-social support to returnees, their families and other Kenyans in
distress,” he said.
He added that the returnees will undergo a structured reintegration
programme under the State Department for Diaspora Affairs.
The update also raised alarm over the reported recruitment of African
nationals, including Kenyans, into the Russian military since the conflict
began in 2022.
According to the government, credible reports indicate that more than 200 Kenyans
may have been recruited, with active recruitment networks believed to be
operating in both Kenya and the Russian Federation.
The Kenyan Embassy in Moscow has confirmed cases of injuries among Kenyan
nationals, as well as others who were left stranded after attempted
recruitment.
Mudavadi said the government continues to receive distress communications
from Kenyans trapped in various military camps.
“Further, the Government has received multiple emails and urgent
communications from Kenyans in distress in various military camps in the
Russian Federation,” he said.
“Several of them have reported injuries among our nationals and others
stranded following attempted recruitment into the violent conflict.”
Following confirmation that Kenyans were being drafted into the Russian
military, the Kenyan Mission in Moscow issued public alerts advising Kenyans
travelling to or residing in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan to register with
the embassy.
“The Mission advised all Kenyans travelling to or residing in the Russian
Federation, the Republic of Belarus and Kazakhstan to register with the Embassy
upon arrival, enabling timely monitoring, consular assistance and protection,”
Mudavadi said.
The government is now engaging Russian authorities to facilitate the
movement of Kenyans, including those held in military camps, to Kenya’s mission
in Moscow for onward repatriation.
At the same time, Mudavadi said Kenya remains keen on strengthening
bilateral relations with Russia, including negotiating a Bilateral Labour
Agreement to guarantee “genuine and safe job opportunities” for Kenyans.
He added that Kenya is also in talks with Ukrainian authorities to
facilitate the release and safe return of any Kenyan nationals allegedly held
as prisoners of war.
Mudavadi warned young Kenyans against falling prey to fraudulent job offers
abroad, urging them to verify opportunities before travelling.
“The Government continues to urge young Kenyans who get job offers abroad to
liaise with the Ministries of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, and Labour and
Social Protection to verify the authenticity of opportunities,” he said.
“This will ensure that no Kenyan is lured by these corrupt and ruthless
agents to travel and get trapped in such dangerous situations.”
