The Kenyan government has renewed its commitment to protecting citizens caught in the Russia-Ukraine war and ensuring their safe return.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei met separately on Friday with the Ukrainian and Russian ambassadors in Nairobi, focusing on the welfare of Kenyan nationals and strategies for repatriation.
The discussions also highlighted efforts to prevent fraudulent recruitment of Kenyans into foreign conflicts.
In discussions with Ukraine’s Ambassador Yurii Tokar, Sing’Oei raised concerns over Kenyans currently held as prisoners of war.
“I underscored the government’s serious concern regarding Kenyans captured on the frontlines of the Russian-Ukrainian war and held as prisoners of war. We discussed the safety of these Kenyans and mechanisms for possible repatriation,” he said.
He further briefed the envoy on Kenya’s steps to curb deceptive recruitment practices targeting nationals.
Sing’Oei also engaged Russian Ambassador Vsevolod Tkachenko, where talks included preparations for Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s upcoming official visit to Moscow.
He stressed Kenya’s concern for nationals in the conflict, calling for unrestricted consular access and transparent procedures to repatriate both prisoners of war and deceased citizens.
“Kenya’s priority remains the safety and dignity of every Kenyan abroad. I welcomed the cooperation of the embassy in staving off any illegal recruitment of Kenyans,” he added.
The meetings followed claims of illegal recruitment of Kenyans for combat abroad, which the Russian embassy in Nairobi has denied.
“At no point has the embassy issued visas to Kenyans to participate in military operations in Ukraine, nor has it encouraged any citizen to do so,” the embassy stated. It clarified that foreign citizens legally in Russia may voluntarily enlist in the Russian armed forces.
Authorities have reported that some Kenyans have been misled into joining fighting forces through false job offers. Security agencies warn that unemployed youth, former military personnel, and other vulnerable groups are being targeted with promises of high-paying contracts, only to be sent into conflict zones.
The Russian embassy reaffirmed that it has not colluded with anyone to recruit Kenyan citizens unlawfully. “The Government authorities of Russia have never engaged in illegal recruitment of Kenyan citizens,” it said.
Kenya continues to work with Kyiv and Moscow to provide consular support, track affected nationals, and prevent further illegal recruitment. Families of those involved have welcomed the government’s interventions, urging swift tracing and safe return of their loved ones.
Sing’Oei also highlighted that the talks with Ukraine’s ambassador form part of a broader strategic cooperation between Kenya and Ukraine, initiated under agreements between President William Ruto and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The officials reviewed progress on the bilateral agenda, reaffirming Nairobi’s commitment to multilateral efforts that promote global peace and uphold the territorial integrity of all nations.
Kenya has consistently called for a diplomatic solution to the conflict, guided by the principles of sovereignty and the United Nations Charter. The country has raised alarms over illegal recruitment, noting that some Kenyans have been deceived by offers of lucrative foreign employment.
In November 2025, President Ruto and President Zelenskyy held discussions to address the plight of Kenyan nationals, reinforcing efforts for their safe return.
Sing’Oei emphasized that Kenya’s diplomatic engagement extends to multilateral initiatives aimed at securing global commitment to civilian protection in conflict zones.
He stressed that these actions are vital not only for the welfare of Kenyans abroad but also to prevent exploitation by networks recruiting citizens into foreign wars.
