Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has travelled to Moscow, Russia, for high level meetings aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries and addressing concerns about Kenyans caught up in the Russia–Ukraine war. The two day visit focuses on expanding cooperation in sectors such as education, labour mobility, health, infrastructure and energy, while boosting diplomatic and economic engagement between Nairobi and Moscow.
During the trip, Mudavadi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, along with meetings with officials responsible for education and labour. He will also deliver a public lecture at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. The discussions are expected to explore opportunities for trade, with Kenya seeking to expand exports of products such as coffee, tea and flowers to the Russian market.
A major focus of the visit involves efforts to locate and secure the release of Kenyans who were secretly recruited by questionable agencies and deployed to fight in the conflict in Ukraine.
A report from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) indicated that more than 1,000 Kenyans may have been enlisted, with dozens reportedly already fighting on the front lines. Kenyan authorities are pushing for a framework that protects citizens living or working in Russia and are seeking cooperation from Moscow to stop further recruitment and support the safe return of affected nationals.
