Prime Cabinet Secretary and CS for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, has informed the public and the international community of measures being taken by the Government to ensure the safe return of Kenyans affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
In a press statement, Mudavadi said through the government interventions, 18 Kenyan citizens have been successfully rescued, issued with emergency travel documents, and safely repatriated to Kenya.
The Government, he said, has also established a fully-fledged Counselling Unit under the State Department of Diaspora Affairs (SDDA) that offers psycho-social support to returnees, their families and other Kenyans in distress.
Importantly, the 18 repatriated Kenyans, and others facing similar challenges, will undergo a reintegration programme, to support their full return to normal life.
Since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, the Prime Cabinet Secretary (CS) noted that recruitment into the Russian military has reportedly expanded to include African nationals.
“Credible reports indicate that more than 200 Kenyans may have been recruited, with networks believed to remain active in both Kenya and the Russian Federation,” the press statement added.
He said that the Kenyan Embassy in Moscow has confirmed cases of injured Kenyans.
Besides, the Embassy had also confirmed that some Kenyan citizens had been left stranded after attempted recruitment.
Mudavadi revealed that the Government had received multiple emails and urgent communications from Kenyans in distress in various military camps in the Russian Federation.
“Several of them have reported injuries among our nationals and others stranded, following attempted recruitment into the violent conflicts,” he regretted.
Upon confirming the enlisting of Kenyan nationals into the Russian military, the Prime CS announced that the Kenyan Mission in Moscow immediately issued public alerts through its official website and social media platforms.
Importantly, he reported that the Mission advised all Kenyans travelling to or residing in the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus and Kazakhstan to register with the Embassy upon arrival to enable timely monitoring, consular assistance and protection.
Mudavadi divulged that the Ministry is engaging the Government of the Russian Federation to facilitate the movement of Kenyan nationals, including those in military camps, to Kenya’s Mission in Moscow for onwards repatriation.
According to the Prime CS, the Government is also keen on strengthening its relations with the Russian Federation in areas of mutual interest, including a Bilateral Labour Agreement that will ensure Kenyans have access to genuine and safe job opportunities in Russia.
Similarly, he revealed that the Government is in talks with Ukrainian authorities to facilitate the release and safe return of any Kenyan nationals allegedly held as prisoners of war.
“The Government continues to urge young Kenyans who get job offers abroad to liaise with the Ministries of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs and Labour & Social Protection to verify the authenticity of opportunities,” he directed, saying this will ensure that no Kenyan is lured by the corrupt and ruthless agents to travel and get trapped in such dangerous situations.
To further protect the Kenyan job seekers, the Prime Cabinet Secretary said the government had strengthened recruitment regulations by enforcing licensing, vetting, and monitoring networks to curb rogue agents.
The regulations include a requirement that all local and foreign recruitment agencies be registered and vetted by the National Employment Authority (NEA) and that all illegal or deceptive operators face sanctions, including the revocation of licences and prosecution.
Notably, he ascertained that over 600 non-compliant agencies have been deregistered.
He outlined that the Government has established the Diaspora Placement Agency (DPA), which provides verified government job opportunities abroad at no cost, including pre-departure guidance through brochures and handbooks, to ensure safe migration.
For job verification orders, the Prime CS assured that the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, through the Diaspora Placement Agency, oversees the authentication of job orders issued by local Private Recruitment Agencies (PRAs), ensuring compliance and safeguarding Kenyan citizens from illicit recruitment activities.
Mudavadi cited Community Outreach as another measure to protect Kenyan job seekers, explaining that through grassroots forums such as Mashinani Engagements, the SDDA provides job seekers with accurate information on licensed recruitment agencies, contract verification, ethical recruitment standards, safe migration procedures, and government-approved foreign labour pathways.
“We commend the dedicated efforts of Dr. Peter Mathuki, Kenyan Ambassador in Moscow; Dr, Korir Sing’oei, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs; and Dr. Roseline Njogu, Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, for their vital roles in resolving this matter,” lauded Mudavadi.
Meanwhile, the Prime CS maintained that the State Department for Diaspora Affairs manages a 24/7 call centre with an emergency hotline through which cases of exploitation, employer conflict, unpaid wages, detention, or crisis situations are reported.
Therefore, those in distress can call +2542207876000 or Whatsapp: +254114757002 or Email: consular@diaspora.go.ke with the attached list of details of the affected individuals, including their travel documentation, dates of travel, and airlines provided distinctively on the Ministry’s website and other social media platforms.
By Michael Omondi
