Kenya Admits Its Citizens Detained in Russian Military Camps

The Government of Kenya has confirmed that an unknown number of its citizens are being held in military camps across the Russian Federation amid the ongoing war with Ukraine.

In a statement by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Monday, October 27, the government noted that it has engaged Russian authorities to secure the safe repatriation of its citizens.

“The Government has taken note of media reports of Kenyans who are caught up in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and takes this opportunity to update its citizens and the world on the action the Government is taking to resolve the situation,” read the statement in part.

“The Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has constructively engaged with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in a bid to secure the release of the Kenyan citizens in distress and ensure their safe passage home.”

Mudavadi Admits Kenyans are held Russian military bases 

Mudavadi acknowledged that the government has been seized of the matter and has been pursuing it for several months.

He further revealed that Kenyan and Russian officials held a crucial meeting last month to address the need for the Kenyans, including those detained in various military camps across the Russian Federation, to be facilitated to reach Kenya’s mission in Moscow.

This, he said, will make it easier for the government to organize its return home.

Kenya’s mission in Moscow has already rescued several Kenyans from military bases and facilitated the issuance of emergency travel documents to ensure their safe return to their families.

He revealed that the governments of Kenya and Russia have also reached an agreement that those being held without their consent should be released to the Kenyan Mission in Moscow with immediate effect.

“The Embassy will also continue to be in contact where possible with the others and facilitate those who manage to get out of the camps and wish to return home,” he said.

Mudavadi noted that the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the complexities of the matter, which involves victims of different nationalities being held for military operations. He explained that affected persons enter into voluntary contracts with their recruiters.

Furthermore, the system has been complicated by agents who masquerade as working with the Russian Government and use unscrupulous methods, including falsified information, to lure innocent Kenyans into the battlefield.

“Kenya expressed its concern that its young citizens continue to be lured by such corrupt and ruthless agents to travel to Russia and unknowingly find themselves in the Russian military operation,” Mudavadi said.

The Prime CS stated that, pursuant to these engagements, the Kenyan mission in Moscow is trying to establish the exact number of Kenyans detained at various military bases and camps and has reached out to the Embassy for assistance in facilitating their return home.

Nairobi, Moscow, Rescue plan 

In order to curb malpractices that risk the lives of Kenyans, Mudavadi said the government is urging immigration and security agencies to be extra vigilant at border points, particularly at airports, to help identify and arrest agents illegally drafting Kenyans into conflicts abroad.

The mission in Moscow has issued a public statement on its website and social media channels, advising Kenyans planning to visit the Russian Federation and accredited regions to be vigilant.

All Kenyans visiting the region are encouraged to register with the mission and exercise their right to access consular services.

Meanwhile, the government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is keen on strengthening relations with the Russian Federation on economic frameworks and other areas of mutual interest

Both governments are working closely on a Bilateral Labor Agreement to ensure Kenyans have access to genuine job opportunities in Russia.