List of 18 Kenyans rescued and repatriated from Russia

African recruits serving in the Russian military/HANDOUT

The Government of Kenya has successfully rescued and repatriated 18 Kenyan nationals who had been stranded, injured, or deployed to the military in distressing circumstances in the Russian Federation, according to an official register released by the Kenya Embassy in Moscow.

The repatriation, coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs through the Kenyan mission in Russia, followed weeks of diplomatic engagement and consular intervention amid the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict.

Among those brought home is Benson Osomo Osieko, who had been hospitalised before being rescued and flown back to Kenya.

Shaquille Wambo, Pius Mwika, Derrick Njaga, Kevin Kariuki Nduma, George Rimba Mwagona, Wilson Mwaoka Mwanyalo, and Orima Jobick Otieno were also assisted by the embassy and repatriated after facing various forms of distress.

The embassy further intervened to secure the return of Vincent Odhiambo Awiti, who sustained an injury to his hand, while Chitsangi Matano Athman was rescued after reporting to the Kenyan mission in November.

Two Kenyans — Daniel Moogi and Daniel Muriuki — managed to return home on their own, with the embassy confirming it had been formally notified of their departures.

The remaining cases involved Kenyans who suffered serious injuries or were deployed to conflict-linked zones.

Newton Maliro was hospitalised in Moscow with a fractured arm and injured leg before being repatriated. Charles Lengine and John Ngeru Kariuki were deployed to camps and front-line positions in Luhansk, Ukraine, before embassy intervention facilitated their safe return to Nairobi.

Others included Stanley Mungai, who was hospitalised with a right-hand injury and pneumothorax, Brian Kimutai, who was rescued and returned to Kenya in early December, and Michael Barasa, who was admitted to hospital in Balashiha, Russia, before being flown home.

Most of the returnees travelled back to Kenya between September and early December 2025 on commercial airlines, including Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, Egypt Air and Turkish Airlines, after being issued with Emergency Travel Documents by the Kenyan mission.

The government has said all the returnees will undergo counselling and reintegration support under the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, even as it renews warnings to Kenyans to exercise caution when seeking employment abroad and to verify job offers through official government channels.

The latest rescue underscores growing concerns over the recruitment of African nationals into the Russia–Ukraine conflict.

According to Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, at least 200 Kenyans are said to have been recruited illegally to fight for Russia in the war against Ukraine.

Further rescue efforts are ongoing, according to the Ministry.