The government has revealed that it has successfully rescued and secured the safe return of 18 Kenyans who had been recruited into the Russia-Ukraine war.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the 18 Kenyans were rescued, issued with emergency travel documents, and safely repatriated after making distress calls.
In a statement on Wednesday, December 17, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said that upon their arrival, the Kenyans and their families would undergo counselling for psychological support.
"The 18 repatriated Kenyans, and others facing similar challenges, will undergo a reintegration programme to support their full return to normal life," Mudavadi said.
The CS disclosed that since the onset of the conflict, recruitment into the Russian military has expanded to include Africans, with credible reports indicating that more than 200 Kenyans may have been recruited.
"The Kenyan Embassy in Moscow has confirmed cases of injuries among Kenyan nationals, and others left stranded after attempted recruitment," the CS added.
Mudavadi also revealed that the government had received multiple emails and urgent communications from Kenyans who are still stuck in Russia.
The CS said several of them have reported injuries, and others are stranded following attempted recruitment into the violent conflict.
According to Mudavadi, the Ministry was engaging the Russian government to facilitate the movement of stranded Kenyans, including those in military camps, to Kenya’s Mission in Moscow for repatriation.
Similarly, he said that the government had initiated talks with the Ukrainian authorities to facilitate the release and safe return of any Kenyan nationals allegedly held as prisoners of war.
To protect Kenyan job seekers, the government announced the enforcement of licensing, vetting, and monitoring frameworks to curb rogue agents.
"All local and foreign recruitment agencies must be registered and vetted by the National Employment Authority (NEA). Illegal or deceptive operators face sanctions, including revocation of licenses and prosecution," Mudavadi stated.
