Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said Kenya and Russia have agreed on the safe repatriation of Kenyan citizens involved in Russia’s military operations, and on compensation for those injured and families of those who have died.
In a press statement issued in Moscow on March 16, 2026, Mudavadi said the issue was discussed during formal bilateral consultations with Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov.
He said the matter of Kenyans reportedly recruited to fight in the Russia–Ukraine war was a central topic of the talks.
Mudavadi said he asked Russia to halt recruitment of Kenyans into the military, arguing it is against Kenyan law for citizens to enlist in foreign military services.
He also urged for the disengagement of Kenyans currently in active service and their safe repatriation, “especially the injured, or deceased”.
The talks also focused on strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in education, labour mobility, health, infrastructure and energy, with Kenya acknowledging Russia’s support through scholarships and fertiliser assistance.
Mudavadi said Kenya also raised the need to grow exports to Russia, including tea, coffee, flowers, avocado and other horticultural produce.
He said a review of trade data showed Kenya–Russia trade stood at about USD 638 million in 2024, but remained modest and Kenya’s export basket to Russia is still limited.
He said coffee, tea and spices accounted for more than 75 per cent of Kenya’s exports to Russia in 2024, consistent with trends over the past decade. Mudavadi added that Russia imports more than USD 1.5 billion worth of coffee and tea annually, yet Kenya’s exports to Russia in 2024 stood at USD 46 million, about 3.06 per cent of that market.
He said Kenya and Russia agreed there is room to grow export value through targeted marketing and improved trade facilitation, as Kenya seeks to diversify its offerings.
Mudavadi said the two governments also discussed finalising an agreement to establish an Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, which he said will provide a structured framework for advancing the bilateral economic partnership
