In an effort to secure the repatriation of Kenyans caught up in the Russia-Ukraine war, the government has directly sought the help of Ukraine through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
At a meeting on Monday October 6, the Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’oei, asked the Ukrainian Ambassador to Kenya, Yurii Tokar, for support to ensure that captured Kenyans receive consular assistance to help with their repatriation.
The meeting came after several Kenyans were discovered to be on the frontline of the Russia-Ukraine war after allegedly being trafficked into Russia under the guise of employment. A number of them ended up being captured by Ukrainian forces.
“Yurii Tokar, the new Ambassador of Ukraine to Kenya, paid me a courtesy call this afternoon. Following recent reports of Kenyan nationals captured by Ukrainian Forces while on the frontline, I sought Ambassador Tokar’s support for the Kenyans to access consular assistance and for their repatriation back to the country,” Sing’oei noted.
“I assured him that most Kenyans involved were victims of manipulation and trafficking, and that the government was doing everything to protect vulnerable Kenyans,” he added.
The meeting comes after the rescue of four Kenyans who were irregularly recruited into the Russian army, with the men’s rescue being part of ongoing efforts to repatriate Kenyans who had been taken in as prisoners of war.
While announcing the fourth Kenyan’s release on Wednesday, October 1, Sing’oei urged Kenyans to exercise due diligence when dealing with employment agencies promising jobs abroad.
“We implore Kenyans to exercise all diligence in verifying the authenticity of any foreign employment contracts and to seek advice from the Ministry and particularly our Diaspora State department, should they have doubt,” he expressed.
On Thursday, September 25, a Russian man was taken into custody by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over allegations of working for the Russian government to recruit Kenyans to fight in the war.
His arrest came after the rescue of 22 Kenyans from an apartment in Athi River, where they were awaiting the individual to process their travel to Russia. According to the police, the individuals were allegedly promised job opportunities in Russia but were, in reality, being sent to fight in Ukraine.
Detectives said the rescued victims revealed they had signed contracts with an unnamed employment agency, committing to pay up to $18,000 (Ksh2,331,000), which would cater for their visas, travel, and accommodation.
The case of the Russian national followed that of Evans Kibet, who, in an interview, claimed that he had been duped into serving for the Russian army after initially visiting the country as a tourist.
