Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi has confirmed that Kenyan citizens will no longer be enlisted in Russia’s special operations forces, following concerns raised by families back home.
Speaking during a Kenya-Russia joint media briefing in Moscow on Monday, Mudavadi said that a consensus had been reached between the two countries to halt recruitment while ensuring the welfare of Kenyans currently in Russia through established diplomatic channels.
“We have now agreed that Kenyans should not be enlisted through the Department of Defense or Ministry of Defense here; they will no longer be eligible for enlisting in the Special Operations,” he said, adding that support services for those in Russia, including hospital visits, would continue to be facilitated.
Mudavadi highlighted that the visit was also aimed at strengthening Kenya-Russia relations across multiple sectors.
“This mission here is primarily to underscore the partnership between Kenya and Russia, ”he noted pointing to historical ties since Kenya’s independence, when Russia was among the first countries to recognize the nation.
The Prime CS further emphasized cooperation on peace and security issues in Africa, particularly noting the impact of regional conflicts and the Middle East crisis on supply chains and economic stability.
The discussions also touched on enhancing trade, education, and cultural exchanges.
Mudavadi noted that since independence, over 3,500 Kenyans have benefited from educational programs in Russia, expressing interest in expanding scholarships, tourism, and bilateral air services to boost people-to-people ties.
“Kenya today receives about 9,000 tourists from Russia. We believe that this number could be enhanced, and there could be cross-investment in the country,” he said, emphasizing opportunities for growth in agriculture, fertilizer supply and energy.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov echoed the commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation, announcing plans to expedite intergovernmental agreements establishing a Russian-Kenyan economic commission and facilitating collaboration in tourism, culture, science, and security.
He also highlighted the role of over 2,000 Kenyan graduates from Russian and Soviet universities in national development.
Mudavadi and Lavrov further discussed Africa’s role in global governance, supporting reforms in the United Nations and Security Council to reflect the interests of the Global South.
The two countries reviewed regional conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Somalia, and the Great Lakes region, emphasizing that solutions should be African-led while Russia continues to support peace initiatives.
The engagement in Moscow, which included Kenyan MPs and diplomatic representatives, is expected to bolster inter-parliamentary ties, strengthen trade, and enhance collaboration on humanitarian, educational, and security issues between Kenya and Russia.