Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi has travelled to Moscow for high-level talks with Russian authorities, aiming to secure the repatriation of Kenyan citizens caught up in the Russia-Ukraine conflict after being recruited into the Russian military.
The two-day visit, which began on Sunday, comes amid mounting concern over reports that dozens – and potentially far more – Kenyans have been drawn into the war through misleading job offers or coercive recruitment practices.
Kenyan nationals have reportedly been drawn into the fighting, with some killed on the front lines and others remaining in Russia against their will, unable to secure exit clearance.
In a statement released ahead of his departure, Mudavadi emphasised that the discussions with Russian officials would focus on halting further such recruitments, whether voluntary or coerced, and securing the safe return of those trapped.
“We will intensify diplomatic efforts to engage directly with Russian authorities through dialogue, to prevent further risks arising from misleading recruitment or false promises of employment,” his office said.
The issue has drawn sharp attention in Kenya, where families have protested and petitioned parliament over relatives sent to the front lines. An intelligence report presented to lawmakers in February estimated that more than 1,000 Kenyans had been recruited to fight for Russia, a sharp rise from earlier government figures of around 200.
Beyond the repatriation push, the Moscow discussions are expected to cover broader ties between the two nations. These include cooperation in agriculture, such as boosting exports of coffee, tea, and flowers to Russia amid global supply disruptions from Middle East tensions, and in education through scholarships, health, infrastructure, energy, and labour mobility.
Russia has provided support to Kenya in areas like fertiliser supplies and academic opportunities.
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