Govt rescues and repatriates 18 Kenyans caught up in Russia-Ukraine war
By Luke Oluoch, December 17, 2025The government has rescued and repatriated 18 Kenyans caught in the distressing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has revealed.
In a statement posted on its X page on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the welfare of other Kenyans affected and yet to be reached by outreach efforts.
Safely returned home
The ministry stated that the individuals were issued emergency travel documents and safely returned to Kenya.
“The government affirms that through these interventions, 18 Kenyan citizens have been successfully rescued, issued with Emergency Travel Documents, and safely repatriated to Kenya,” the statement read in part.
As part of their psycho-social support, the government has established a fully-fledged counselling unit under the State Department for Diaspora Affairs (SDDA) that offers psycho-social support to returnees, their families, and other Kenyans in distress.
Mudavadi has further stated that reports indicate more than 200 Kenyans may have been recruited to fight in the Russian-Ukrainian war.
200 Kenyans recruited
“It has been reported that more than 200 Kenyans may have been recruited into the conflict, with multiple distress calls from Kenyans received from the Russian Federation as confirmed by the Moscow Embassy,” the ministry stated.
“Since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, 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 Kenyan Embassy in Moscow has confirmed cases of injuries among Kenyan nationals and others left stranded after attempted recruitment,” the statement added.
The 18 repatriated Kenyans and others facing similar challenges will undergo a reintegration program to support their full return to normal life.
In conclusion, the ministry said it is engaging the Russian Federation to facilitate the movement of Kenyan nationals, including those in military camps, to Kenya’s mission in Moscow for onward repatriation.