The governments of Kenya and Russia have reached an agreement for the release of Kenyan nationals detained in various military camps across the Russian Federation.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 27, 2025, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi said the agreement followed months of consultations aimed at securing the safe return of Kenyans caught up in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“The governments of Kenya and Russia have reached an agreement that those being held without their consent should be released to our Mission in Moscow with immediate effect,” the statement read in part.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Kenyan Mission in Moscow has been working closely with Russian authorities to identify and assist citizens who found themselves trapped in the conflict, some of whom were lured into the war through fraudulent recruitment schemes.
The ministry revealed that several Kenyans have already been rescued from military bases and issued emergency travel documents to facilitate their safe return home.
Mudavadi said efforts are underway to establish the exact number of those still detained or stranded in various locations.
According to the statement, Russia acknowledged the complexity of the situation, noting that victims from different nationalities had been recruited under misleading contracts by agents pretending to represent the Russian government.
Kenya expressed concern over the growing number of young citizens being deceived by such agents into joining military operations abroad.
To prevent further exploitation, the government has directed immigration and security agencies to heighten surveillance at all border points, especially airports, to intercept illegal recruiters.
“The Government is urging immigration and security agencies to be extra vigilant at border points to help identify and arrest agents illegally drafting Kenyans into conflicts abroad,” the ministry said.
The Kenyan Mission in Moscow has also issued a public advisory on its website and social media channels, urging Kenyans visiting Russia and neighboring regions to remain vigilant, register with the embassy, and make use of consular services.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary said the two nations are working toward a Bilateral Labour Agreement that will enable Kenyans to access legitimate employment opportunities in Russia.
Mudavadi emphasized that the government remains committed to protecting its citizens abroad while fostering peace, stability, and mutually beneficial international partnerships.
This follows recent cases in which more than 20 Kenyans were rescued from a trafficking syndicate that was taking them to Russia for jobs.
There have also been cases of Kenyans repatriated from the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine war, where they had been forcefully recruited. Some returned wounded and continue to receive treatment locally.
