Kenya is intensifying its diplomatic efforts to protect citizens who have become entangled in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the government is committed to ensuring that Kenyans abroad do not face danger or fall victim to misleading job offers linked to the war.
Speaking on Friday during interviews with radio stations in Western Kenya, Mudavadi revealed that Nairobi plans to send an official delegation to Russia to engage authorities directly on the matter. He emphasized that the government prefers dialogue and formal diplomatic channels as the safest way to safeguard its citizens.
“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 explained that some citizens may have been caught up in risky situations due to false promises of work, irregular recruitment practices, or misleading information about opportunities abroad. Mudavadi said the government is carefully examining the circumstances to prevent further exposure to harm.
He also highlighted ongoing discussions with the Ukrainian government regarding Kenyans who were detained as prisoners of war. President William Ruto has personally engaged Ukrainian authorities to secure the release and safe return of these individuals.
“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,” he said.
Mudavadi reiterated that Kenya does not endorse its citizens’ participation in foreign conflicts and continues to advocate for a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Echoing this position, Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei said that Kenya has successfully repatriated 28 citizens from Russia since December, following sustained diplomatic engagement. He explained that these Kenyans approached Kenyan missions after finding themselves in unsafe situations 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,” Sing’oei said.
He added that the government is pursuing two simultaneous diplomatic efforts: one to secure the release of Kenyans detained in Ukraine and another to engage Russian authorities to halt irregular recruitment targeting Kenyan citizens.
Sing’oei acknowledged that counting all affected Kenyans is challenging due to informal recruitment channels but affirmed that the government remains committed to protecting its people abroad. Additionally, public awareness campaigns have been intensified, warning citizens against unverified job offers and urging them to use official channels.
Mudavadi concluded that Kenya will continue to rely on diplomacy as its primary tool to ensure citizens’ safety and prevent exploitation linked to the conflict.
“Our responsibility is to protect our people, wherever they are, and diplomacy remains our strongest tool,” he said.
