Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has announced plans to visit Russia as part of Kenya’s efforts to protect its citizens caught up in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Speaking Friday during interviews with Western Kenya radio stations, Mudavadi said the trip will allow Kenyan officials to engage directly with the Russian government to ensure citizens do not fall into dangerous situations.
“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,” he said.
He noted that some Kenyans have ended up in risky situations due to misinformation, irregular recruitment, or false promises of work. Mudavadi emphasized that the government’s approach is based on diplomacy and dialogue, aiming to understand the challenges facing citizens abroad and prevent further exposure to danger.
The PCS also confirmed that President William Ruto has engaged with the Ukrainian government over Kenyans who were detained as prisoners of war.
“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 stressed that Kenya does not support its citizens participating in foreign conflicts and has consistently called for a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war.
Echoing this, Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei said Kenya has already repatriated 28 citizens from Russia since December, following diplomatic engagement. Those who returned had sought assistance after finding themselves in difficult situations linked to the conflict.
“Our policy is clear: no Kenyan should participate in this war. This is a conflict that must end,” Sing’oei said.
The PS added that the government is pursuing two diplomatic tracks: securing the release of Kenyans detained in Ukraine and engaging Russian authorities to prevent further irregular recruitment of citizens.
Sing’oei acknowledged that it is difficult to determine the exact number of Kenyans affected due to informal recruitment channels, but reiterated that the government is committed to protecting its citizens abroad.
