18 Kenyans involved in Russia-Ukraine war rescued as gov’t reports 200 recruits

The government has rescued and repatriated 18 Kenyans who were caught up in the Russia-Ukraine war, amid fresh revelations that more than 200 Kenyans may have been recruited into the Russian military since the conflict began in 2022.

In a statement issued by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Diaspora Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi, the government said the 18 were issued with emergency travel documents and safely returned to the country through coordinated diplomatic interventions led by Kenya’s mission in Moscow.

The Ministry noted that recruitment into the Russian military has reportedly expanded to include African nationals, with credible reports indicating that over 200 Kenyans may have been enlisted, either directly or through recruitment networks believed to be operating in both Kenya and the Russian Federation.

“The 18 repatriated Kenyans, and others facing similar challenges, will undergo a reintegration programme to support their full return to normal life.

“Since the onset of the Russia–Ukraine conflict in 2022, recruitment into the Russian military has reportedly expanded to include African nationals. Credible reports indicate that more than 200 Kenyans may have been recruited, with networks believed to remain active in both Kenya and the Russian Federation.”

According to the ministry, Kenya’s embassy in Moscow has confirmed cases of injuries among Kenyan nationals, while others have been left stranded after attempted recruitment into the conflict.

He said they had received multiple urgent communications from Kenyans in distress held in various military camps in Russia, with reports of injuries and inability to return home.

“The Government has received multiple emails and urgent communications from Kenyans in distress in various military camps in the Russian Federation. Several of them have reported injuries among our nationals and others stranded following attempted recruitment into the violent conflict,” stated the CS.

Following confirmation that Kenyan nationals were being drafted into the Russian military, Kenya’s mission in Moscow issued public alerts advising Kenyans travelling to or residing in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan to register with the embassy for consular assistance and protection.

“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 to enable timely monitoring, consular assistance and protection,” Mudavadi noted.

The ministry says it is engaging Russian authorities to facilitate the movement of Kenyan nationals, including those in military camps, for onward repatriation. Similar engagements are ongoing with Ukrainian authorities to ensure the release of Kenyans allegedly held as prisoners of war.

The CS said that the 18 Kenyans will undergo counselling and reintegration under the State Department for Diaspora Affairs to provide psycho-social support to affected families upon their return.

Mudavadi also warned young Kenyans to verify job offers abroad to avoid falling prey to rogue recruitment networks.

To curb illegal recruitment, he said the government has deregistered more than 600 non-compliant recruitment agencies and expanded the Diaspora Placement Agency to provide verified overseas job opportunities at no cost.