Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has assured the public that efforts are underway to secure the safe return of Kenyans trapped in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
In a statement on Monday, October 27, Mudavadi confirmed that the government has been engaging with Russian authorities to resolve the matter.
“The Government has taken note of media reports of Kenyans who are caught up in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and takes this opportunity to update its citizens and the world on the action the Government is taking to resolve the situation.
“The Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has constructively engaged with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in a bid to secure the release of the Kenyan citizens in distress and ensure their safe passage home,” he said.
Mudavadi revealed that the government has been following up on the matter for several months, with recent meetings between Kenyan and Russian officials yielding progress toward repatriation efforts.
“The Government has been seized of the matter and for several months has been pursuing it. The Kenyan and Russian officials held a crucial meeting that took place last month in which they addressed the need for the Kenyans, including those detained in various military camps across the Russian Federation, to be facilitated to reach Kenya’s mission in Moscow, from where it will be easier for the Government to organize their shipment back home,” he continued.
Mudavadi explained that the Russian authorities acknowledged the complexity of the issue, noting that many of those trapped were lured into military activities through deceptive recruitment schemes.
“The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the difficulties of dealing with the matter that cuts across many countries, with victims of different nationalities being held up for military operations. The affected persons enter into voluntary contracts with their recruiters.
“Furthermore, the system has been made complicated by the agents who masquerade as working with the Russian Government and use unscrupulous methods, including falsified information to lure innocent Kenyans into the battlefield,” he added.
According to Mudavadi, Kenya’s mission in Moscow is actively identifying and rescuing affected citizens, issuing emergency travel documents, and facilitating their return home.
“Pursuant to these engagements, the Kenyan mission in Moscow is trying to establish an accurate number of Kenyans detained in various military bases/camps and has reached out for help from the Embassy to return home.
“The Mission rescued several Kenyans from those held at military bases and facilitated emergency travel documents to ensure their safe return to their families,” he further said.
Mudavadi noted that both governments have agreed to release those being held against their will and ensure communication with others still in the camps.
“The governments of Kenya and Russia have also reached an agreement that those being held without their consent should be released to our Mission in Moscow with immediate effect.
“The Embassy will also continue to be in contact where possible with the others and facilitate those who manage to get out of the camps and wish to return home,” he stated.
Mudavadi called on Kenyans visiting or working in Russia and neighboring regions to remain alert and register with the Kenyan mission for safety and consular assistance.
“In order to curb malpractices that risk the lives of Kenyans, the Government is urging the immigration and security agencies to be extra vigilant at the border points, particularly at the airports, to help identify and arrest the agents illegally drafting Kenyans into conflicts abroad.
“The Mission in Moscow has issued a public statement on its website and social media channels advising Kenyans planning to visit the Russian Federation and the accredited regions to be vigilant. All Kenyans visiting the region are encouraged to register themselves with the Mission and exercise their right to access consular services,” he concluded.
