Kenya’s government said a number of its citizens found themselves drafted into the Russian army and sent to the front lines in Ukraine after they were recruited for what they thought were civilian jobs.
Officials in Nairobi this week blamed “corrupt and ruthless agents” for taking advantage of Kenya’s high unemployment figures by luring young men to Moscow, where they’re forced into Russia’s military.
“The Kenyan mission in Moscow is trying to establish an accurate number of Kenyans detained in various military bases/camps and has reached out for help from the embassy to return home,” Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet secretary of Kenya’s Foreign Ministry, said Monday in a statement. “The mission rescued several Kenyans from those held at military bases and facilitated emergency travel documents to ensure their safe return to their families.”
Mr. Mudavadi said his government has been aware of the problem for several months and met with Russian officials in September to seek a solution. The Kremlin said the issue is complicated because it involved victims from several countries who were apparently duped by recruiters claiming to work for the Russian government.
“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,” Mr. Mudavadi said.
The Kenyan Embassy in Moscow issued a warning, telling its citizens visiting Russia to remain vigilant. They’re encouraged to register at the embassy on arrival and exercise their right to access consular services.
“The government is urging the immigration and security agencies to be extra vigilant at the border points, particularly at airports, to help identify and arrest the agents illegally drafting Kenyans into conflicts abroad,” Mr. Mudavadi said.
Kenya said it remains interested in strengthening relations with Russia even as it seeks to prevent its citizens from being sent to the front lines in Ukraine.
“Both governments are working closely on a bilateral labor agreement that will ensure Kenyans have access to genuine job opportunities in Russia,” Mr. Mudavadi said.
