MOSCOW, Russia — Kenya has reached an agreement with Russia to facilitate the repatriation of Kenyan nationals recruited to fight in the Russia–Ukraine war, as well as compensation for those injured or killed in the conflict.
The breakthrough followed high-level talks between Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on March 16.
In a statement issued after the bilateral consultations, Mudavadi said the welfare of Kenyans recruited into Russia’s military operations was a key agenda item during the discussions.
Recruitment of Kenyans raised
Mudavadi urged Russia to halt the recruitment of Kenyan nationals into its military operations, noting that Kenyan law prohibits citizens from serving in foreign armed forces without authorization from the President.
Under Section 68 of Kenya’s Penal Code, enlistment in a foreign military without written approval can attract up to 10 years in prison, unless the courts determine the enlistment was not voluntary.
The Kenyan government estimates that 252 Kenyans were recruited into Russia’s Special Military Operations linked to the war in Ukraine.
Some of those involved are believed to be former members of disciplined services including the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, the National Youth Service, and the Kenya Prisons Service.
Repatriation and compensation agreed
Following the talks, Russia agreed to several measures aimed at addressing the situation of Kenyans involved in the conflict.
These include granting consular access to Kenyan nationals receiving treatment in hospitals, facilitating the repatriation of injured citizens, and ensuring the dignified return of the remains of those killed.
Moscow also committed to disengage Kenyan nationals who no longer wish to participate in the military operations and to expedite compensation processes through diplomatic channels.
In addition, Russia agreed to place Kenya on a “stop list” preventing further recruitment of Kenyan nationals into the ongoing military operations.
Status of Kenyans in the conflict
According to Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, 44 Kenyans have already been repatriated from Russia.
However, the government said 10 Kenyans are reported missing in action or killed, while 38 are currently hospitalised in various Russian medical facilities.
Authorities estimate that about 160 Kenyans remain actively involved in the military operations.
Russia has requested Kenya to provide details of the next of kin of the deceased to facilitate compensation to their families.
The Russian government also indicated willingness to consider repatriating the remains of the deceased, subject to logistical arrangements including the availability of direct air links between the two countries.
Kenyan prisoners of war
Mudavadi also raised concerns about two Kenyans — Evans Kibet and Macharia Willis Muniu — who have been identified as prisoners of war held by Ukrainian authorities.
He asked Moscow to explore arrangements that could facilitate their transfer to Russia and eventual repatriation to Kenya.
Broader Kenya–Russia cooperation
Beyond the war issue, the talks also focused on strengthening economic, diplomatic and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries.
Kenya highlighted opportunities to expand exports such as tea, coffee, flowers, avocados and other horticultural products to the Russian market.
Trade between Kenya and Russia stood at about $638 million in 2024, though Kenyan exports remain relatively modest and largely dominated by tea and coffee.
Russia imports more than $1.5 billion worth of tea and coffee annually, yet Kenya’s exports to the country totalled only $46 million in 2024, representing just over three percent of the market.
Mudavadi said both countries will work toward establishing an intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation to expand trade and investment ties.
Warning to Kenyans abroad
The Kenyan government also plans to launch a nationwide public awareness campaign dubbed “Linda Mkenya Majuu” to educate citizens on safe and legitimate employment opportunities abroad and prevent exploitation through human trafficking networks.
Mudavadi urged Kenyans planning to travel abroad to comply fully with the laws and regulations of their host countries.
He also thanked Russia for expanding educational cooperation with Kenya, including scholarships for Kenyan students and the establishment of the African Centre for the Study of Russia at the University of Nairobi, which provides Russian language and cultural studies to hundreds of students annually.
Officials said the agreements reached during the Moscow talks mark a significant step toward addressing the plight of Kenyans caught up in the Russia–Ukraine conflict while strengthening broader diplomatic ties between Nairobi and Moscow.
