NAIROBI, Kenya — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that a fourth Kenyan, Kevin Kariuki Nduma, is being repatriated from Moscow after being irregularly conscripted into the Russian military.
Kariuki is among several Kenyans lured with promises of lucrative employment in Russia, only to find themselves forced to fight on the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Some victims have been killed, while survivors often return home maimed, with several seeking treatment in local hospitals.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Sing’Oei Korir urged Kenyans to exercise caution when considering overseas employment, advising them to verify job offers and seek guidance from the Ministry’s Diaspora Department.
“I commend our Mission in Moscow for the effort to rescue and repatriate Kenyans caught in this unfortunate and dangerous situation,” Korir said in a post on X.
Previous Rescues
Kariuki’s return follows the recent rescue of three other Kenyans—Shaquille Wambo, Pius Mwika, and Derrick Njaga—also brought home from Russia by the Kenyan embassy.
The Mission continues to manage multiple cases of citizens who were duped into enlisting in the Russian army, with some ending up as prisoners of war in Ukraine.
“We assure the families that our Mission in Moscow and our teams at HQ are pursuing the matter with all diligence,” Korir added.
A third Kenyan, Kevin Kariuki Nduma, irregularly conscripted to serve in the Russian military is on his way back home. I commend our Mission in Moscow for the effort to rescue and repatriate Kenyans caught in this unfortunate and dangerous situation. We implore Kenyans to
Ongoing Investigations
Locally, detectives are interrogating Edward Kamau Gituku, a Kenyan suspected of coordinating the travel and recruitment of victims for the Russian military.
Kamau was arrested by the Transnational Organised Crime Unit after 22 Kenyans, allegedly preparing to travel to Russia, were rescued from Great Wall Gardens in Athi River last week.
Investigators say he had rented multiple houses in the estate to shelter victims before their departure.
Authorities believe Kamau is part of a wider trafficking network operating across the country. Police have secured a 10-day detention order as investigations continue.
Separately, a Russian national linked to the trafficking ring, Mike (Mikhail) Lyapin, was deported to Moscow last week.
The Russian Embassy confirmed that Lyapin left Kenya on an Air Arabia flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on September 26, 2025.
“In the evening of September 25, 2025, Kenyan law enforcement officers escorted Mikhail Lyapin to DCI offices in Nairobi for questioning about his business activities. Upon completing all procedures, he departed the country the following afternoon,” the Embassy said.
The Ministry continues to urge Kenyans to remain vigilant against fraudulent overseas employment schemes, which can quickly turn life-threatening.
