Kenyans' interest in learning the Russian language has been steadily increasing, especially after St. Petersburg University, a state-owned institution of higher learning in Russia, received an overwhelming number of applications from Kenyan students.
The Russian Embassy in partnership with the University announced that the third intake to pursue the course was opened on Monday, February 12, at 2:53 pm.
It further directed interested applicants to fill out an online form for consideration.
"Dear friends, St Petersburg University and the Russian Embassy in Kenya are happy to announce registration for the third intake of free Russian language online courses for Kenyans. If you are interested just complete the form. Hurry up! First come first served," the Embassy announced at the time.
A few hours later, the Embassy noted that it had been compelled to close the applications due to an exceptionally high level of interest.
"This intake is finished. We had to close the form within a few hours from the beginning due to a high number of applicants. We will notify you when the next intake for online or in-person Russian language classes will take place! Thank you for your interest and support," read another update posted at 9:54 pm.
The Embassy launched the programme in March last year and invited applications for its first intake. The second intake was done in September 2023.
In the last few years, Kenyans have shown interest in Russian culture as President William Ruto continues to broker jobs for his citizens abroad.
In our flagship Newsletter, the Evening Brief, we reported that the state had lined up over 300,000 jobs for Kenyans in Germany, Israel, Serbia, and Russia.
Specifically, Russia was offering 10,000 positions.
Latest travel data indicate that approximately 20,000 Kenyans travel to Russia every year, with the figure expected to increase as bilateral relations between the two countries continue to grow.
Saint Petersburg University, on the other hand, is a public institution of higher learning founded in 1724 in the Russian City of Saint Petersburg. It specialises its research in science, engineering and humanities.
