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Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi on Sunday travelled to Moscow in the Russia for bilateral talks aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries and addressing the situation of Kenyans reportedly stranded there.
The visit is expected to focus on expanding cooperation between Kenya and Russia in areas such as education, labour mobility, health, infrastructure and energy, while also reinforcing diplomatic and economic ties.
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A key item on the agenda will be discussions on tracing and securing the release of Kenyans who were allegedly recruited through irregular channels and sent to fight in the war in Ukraine.
During the two-day trip, Mudavadi is scheduled to hold talks with Russia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov and later meet the country’s ministers responsible for education and labour. He will also deliver a public lecture at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO).
According to a statement from his office, Kenya recognises Russia’s support in offering scholarships to Kenyan students and assisting the country’s agricultural sector through fertiliser supply.
Mudavadi noted that there is significant potential for increased exports of Kenyan products such as coffee, tea and flowers to the Russian market, particularly amid instability in the Middle East.
His visit comes as concerns grow over Kenyans believed to have been secretly recruited by rogue agencies and deployed as mercenaries in the Russia–Ukraine conflict. The government now aims to establish clearer and more transparent systems to protect the welfare of Kenyans living, studying and working in Russia.
Through discussions with senior Russian officials, Mudavadi hopes to address cases involving Kenyans who may have been recruited into the Russian military, either willingly or unknowingly.
The talks will also seek to prevent further risks linked to misleading recruitment schemes or false job offers.
Additionally, Kenya will push for a structured process to facilitate the safe return of affected citizens caught up in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
According to intelligence reports submitted to Parliament by the National Intelligence Service (NIS), more than 1,000 Kenyans are believed to have been recruited to fight for Russia through networks allegedly involving traffickers and rogue officials.
The report indicated that as of February this year, 89 Kenyans were on the front lines of the war. The government, which had earlier estimated that around 200 Kenyans had joined the conflict, is now seeking assurances from Moscow to prevent further recruitment.
Investigations have suggested that some recruitment agencies may have worked with rogue officials from institutions including immigration, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), anti-narcotics units and the National Employment Authority to facilitate travel for recruits.
However, Russia has rejected the claims. In a response, the Embassy of Russia in Kenya said it had never issued visas to Kenyans intending to participate in the military operation in Ukraine or encouraged any Kenyan citizens to do so.
