NAIROBI, Kenya- Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is in Moscow, Russia, on a diplomatic mission aimed at addressing urgent concerns involving Kenyan citizens and strengthening ties between Nairobi and Moscow.
The visit comes at a time when the Kenyan government faces mounting pressure over reports that dozens of Kenyan citizens have been recruited into Russia’s military to fight in the ongoing Russia–Ukraine War.
According to a report by the National Intelligence Service, more than 1,000 Kenyans have been illegally recruited to the war.
Tens have died, and others sustained serious injuries, the report revealed.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for @ForeignOfficeKE and @Diaspora_KE Affairs, H.E. Dr. @MusaliaMudavadi, has arrived in Moscow, Russian Federation, for high-level bilateral engagements aimed at strengthening Kenya–Russia relations.
Protecting Kenyans caught up in the Ukraine war
One of the most pressing issues on Mudavadi’s agenda is the fate of Kenyans who were lured into joining the Russian military through deceptive recruitment schemes promising lucrative jobs abroad.
Several Kenyans have died in the conflict, while others remain stranded in Russia or Ukraine.
The government says the visit is meant to directly engage Russian authorities and seek a framework to prevent further recruitment of Kenyan citizens into the conflict.
Officials also want Russia to facilitate the safe repatriation of Kenyans already involved or trapped in the war.
The issue has sparked public concern in Kenya after authorities arrested suspects accused of recruiting young men under false promises of employment abroad.
He will also deliver a public lecture at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO).
Key meetings with top Russian officials
During his visit, Mudavadi is expected to hold high-level bilateral meetings with several senior Russian government officials.
The most significant meeting will be with Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s long-serving Foreign Minister, who is considered one of the most influential figures in the Russian government.
Mudavadi is also scheduled to meet Russian ministers responsible for Education and Labour, discussions that will focus on cooperation in training, labour mobility, and opportunities for Kenyan professionals and students.
Contrary to speculation in some media reports, the Kenyan delegation is not expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin during the visit.
The discussions will also address concerns surrounding Kenyans who may have been voluntarily or involuntarily enlisted in the Russian military, with Kenya intensifying diplomatic engagement to prevent risks arising from misleading recruitment or false promises of employment.
Strengthening Kenya–Russia relations
Beyond the urgent consular issues, the trip is also meant to deepen diplomatic and economic relations between Kenya and Russia.
Kenya and Russia have maintained diplomatic relations since 1963, cooperating in areas such as education, trade and tourism.
Russia has also offered scholarships to Kenyan students and supported agricultural initiatives over the years.
Mudavadi’s discussions are expected to explore new opportunities for cooperation in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, health, agriculture and trade, as Kenya seeks to diversify its international partnerships.
Officials say Kenya is particularly interested in expanding exports of tea, coffee and flowers to the Russian market while also exploring broader economic partnerships.
Diplomacy amid global tensions
Mudavadi’s visit highlights Kenya’s delicate diplomatic balancing act.
Russia remains an important global power and economic partner, but the issue of African recruits in the Ukraine war has placed several African governments under pressure to protect their citizens while maintaining diplomatic ties with Moscow.
For Nairobi, the trip represents both a consular intervention to protect Kenyan citizens and a broader diplomatic effort to keep bilateral relations with Russia stable and productive.
By engaging directly with Russian authorities in Moscow, Kenya hopes to secure assurances that its citizens will not be exploited or drawn into foreign conflicts while also strengthening cooperation between the two nations.
