Kenya rescues 18 citizens trapped in Russian military operations

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi during the Bastille Day, France National Day on July 14, 2025. [David Gichuru, Standard] The government has rescued and repatriated 18 citizens caught up in the Russia-Ukraine conflict between August 29 and December 3, following recruitment linked to Russian military operations. Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the repatriation followed decisive diplomatic interventions through Kenya's mission in Moscow. "Through these interventions, 18 Kenyan citizens have been successfully rescued, issued with Emergency Travel Documents and safely repatriated to Kenya," said Mudavadi in a statement on Wednesday, December 17. Recruitment into the Russian military has expanded to include African nationals since the conflict began in 2022, with Kenya among the affected countries, Mudavadi noted. More than 200 Kenyans may have been recruited through networks operating in Kenya and Russia, according to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. The Kenyan Embassy in Moscow has confirmed injuries among Kenyan nationals and others left stranded after attempted recruitment, Mudavadi observed. The government has received multiple urgent communications from Kenyans held in various military camps in Russia, with some reporting injuries and abandonment after failed recruitment attempts, he said. The repatriated citizens will undergo a structured reintegration programme coordinated by the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, including psychosocial counselling and support aimed at helping returnees and their families recover from trauma. "The government has a fully-fledged counselling unit that offers psycho-social support to returnees, their families and other Kenyans in distress. This is critical to supporting their full return to normal life," explained Mudavadi. Once the drafting of Kenyan nationals into the Russian military was confirmed, Kenya's Mission in Moscow issued public alerts through its official website and social media platforms, he added. Kenyans travelling to or residing in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan were advised to register with the embassy upon arrival to enable monitoring, consular assistance and protection. The government is engaging Russian authorities to facilitate the movement of Kenyans, including those in military camps, to the Kenyan Mission in Moscow for onward repatriation. Kenya is holding discussions with Ukrainian authorities to secure the release and safe return of any Kenyan nationals allegedly held as prisoners of war. Mudavadi noted despite the crisis, Kenya remains keen on strengthening bilateral relations with Russia in areas of mutual interest, including the negotiation of a Bilateral Labour Agreement that would allow Kenyans to access genuine and safe job opportunities in Russia under regulated frameworks. To prevent similar incidents, the government has intensified efforts to curb rogue recruitment agencies. All local and foreign recruitment agencies must now be registered, vetted and monitored by the National Employment Authority, with illegal or deceptive operators facing stiff sanctions, Mudavadi observed. Over 600 non-compliant agencies have been deregistered, he said. The ministry through the Diaspora Placement Agency is verifying job orders issued by private recruitment agencies and providing government-sourced overseas job opportunities at no cost. Community outreach initiatives, including grassroots forums, are being used to educate Kenyans on safe migration and ethical recruitment practices. Mudavadi urged youth seeking work abroad to verify job offers with the Ministries of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs and Labour before travelling. "This will ensure that no Kenyan is lured by corrupt and ruthless agents to travel and get trapped in such dangerous situations," said Mudavadi.

Kenya rescues 18 citizens trapped in Russian military operations

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