The Kenyan government has successfully rescued and repatriated 27 citizens who were stranded in the Russian Federation after being illegally enlisted to fight in the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi confirmed the development in an update released this week, noting that the government secured the safe return of the Kenyans through swift diplomatic and consular interventions coordinated by Kenya’s mission in Moscow.
According to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, most of the returnees had fallen victim to recruitment networks linked to the Russian military. “We have facilitated 27 Kenyans to come back home away from the frontline and from what they thought were different jobs but ended up being lured into battle,” said Mudavadi.
The rescue operation has prompted an urgent response from the government, with Mudavadi announcing that plans are at an advanced stage for him to visit Moscow to engage directly with the Russian government. The visit aims to address the circumstances that led to Kenyans being drawn into the conflict and to prevent further exposure to danger.
“We have seen loss of lives, and I am planning to make a visit to Moscow so that we can emphasise that this is something that needs to be arrested,” Mudavadi stated.
He added that Kenya’s ambassador to Russia, Peter Mathuki, has been in contact with relevant agencies to ensure structured bilateral agreements similar to those Kenya has established with countries such as Austria and Germany. These agreements are designed to provide Kenyans with legitimate and decent employment opportunities abroad.
Mudavadi reiterated that Kenya’s approach remains rooted in diplomacy and dialogue, focusing on understanding how citizens are affected and preventing further risks. Over the weekend, he expressed concern over the growing number of Kenyan youth being lured into unsafe jobs overseas, including reports of recruitment into conflict zones such as Russia.
