NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenyan government has intensified diplomatic efforts to protect its citizens caught up in the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war, amid growing concern over irregular recruitment, detentions and rising casualties.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said Nairobi is moving to directly engage Russian authorities through an official visit, as part of broader efforts to prevent Kenyans from being drawn into dangerous situations through false job offers and misleading recruitment networks.
Mudavadi said the government is determined to ensure Kenyans abroad do not become victims of exploitation or end up on the frontlines of a foreign conflict.
“I will soon be making an official visit to Russia so that we can engage their government and discuss these issues, so that Kenyans do not fall into traps,” Mudavadi said.
He spoke on Friday during interviews with radio stations in Western Kenya, where he warned that some Kenyans had been lured abroad by promises of employment that later turned out to be unsafe or linked to the war.
Diplomatic efforts on two fronts
Mudavadi said Kenya is also actively engaging the Ukrainian government, particularly on the fate of Kenyans detained as prisoners of war.
According to the Prime Cabinet Secretary, President William Ruto has already held discussions with Ukrainian authorities to secure the release and safe return of Kenyan nationals.
“The President has engaged the Ukrainian authorities because there are Kenyans who were detained there. We are pursuing diplomatic means to ensure they are released and safely returned home,” Mudavadi said.
Kenya, he added, does not support the participation of its citizens in foreign conflicts and continues to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the Russia–Ukraine war.
28 Kenyans repatriated from Russia
Backing the government’s position, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei said Kenya has successfully repatriated 28 citizens from Russia since December, following sustained diplomatic engagement.
Sing’oei said the affected individuals sought assistance from Kenyan missions after finding themselves in unsafe circumstances linked to the conflict.
“Our policy position is clear; it is not the policy of the Kenyan government that any Kenyan should participate in this war. This is a war that must end,” he said.
The PS said the government is pursuing two parallel diplomatic tracks — securing the release of Kenyans detained in Ukraine and engaging Russian authorities to curb irregular recruitment targeting Kenyan citizens.
While the exact number of affected Kenyans remains unclear due to informal recruitment channels, Sing’oei said the government remains committed to protecting its nationals.
Public warning over job scams
The government has also stepped up public awareness campaigns, warning Kenyans against unverified job offers abroad and urging them to confirm opportunities through official government channels.
Mudavadi reiterated that diplomacy remains Kenya’s primary tool in safeguarding its citizens overseas.
“Our responsibility is to protect our people, wherever they are, and diplomacy remains our strongest tool,” he said.
