Belgut Member of Parliament (MP) and Chairperson of the National Assembly Defence Committee, Nelson Koech, has revealed plans to lead a delegation to Russia to ensure the safe repatriation of Kenyan nationals who were illegally recruited to participate in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

In an interview on a local TV station on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, Koech said Parliament had mandated him, alongside Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, to engage directly with Russian authorities.

“Parliament has mandated me, together with the Prime Cabinet Secretary, this weekend to travel to Russia to meet with the Government of Russia to ensure that our young men who were illegally recruited are repatriated back to the country. We are having meetings on Monday and Tuesday next week in Moscow,” Koech disclosed.

Borrowing South Africa’s script

This announcement comes just days after South Africa successfully negotiated the return of its citizens from Russia, with others expected to follow.

President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that his government, working closely with Russian officials, secured the return of most of the men, while two remain in Russia, one hospitalised in Moscow and the other undergoing travel processing.

“President Ramaphosa has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President Vladimir Putin who responded positively to his call to support the process of returning the men home,” said Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya.

The South African case highlights the urgent need for Kenya to act, as over 1,000 Kenyan nationals are reported to be stuck in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to a classified intelligence report submitted to Parliament.

The report, read to MPs by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, details how rogue recruitment agencies in Kenya are targeting former military personnel, police officers, and civilians between 25 and 50 years old.

The agencies are said to promise lucrative monthly salaries of around Ksh350,000, bonuses up to Ksh1.2 million, and potential Russian citizenship to entice recruits.

Mudavadi on illegal recruitments

“We are facing the challenge of our own Kenyans finding their way through whatever means to go and fight in a war they don’t understand. This is something that we must be concerned about as a country, Mudavadi said at the 60th anniversary of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa in Nairobi.

He further warned that misinformation, false promises, and irregular recruitment channels are putting young Kenyans at grave risk.

“Some of these young people are being misled through misinformation, false promises, and irregular recruitment channels. They end up exposing themselves to danger and suffering consequences they never anticipated,” he added.

The Cabinet Secretary emphasised that the government is committed to diplomatic and legal measures to protect citizens and hold recruiters accountable.

Koech said the delegation to Russia is expected to mirror South Africa’s diplomatic approach, saying the mission aims not only to secure the return of Kenyans but also to establish frameworks to prevent further illegal recruitment.  

This growing concern comes amid reports that the Russian recruitment operations are highly organised, targeting individuals desperate for employment abroad.

The intelligence report presented to Parliament highlighted the need for urgent government intervention to safeguard Kenyan nationals and uphold national security.