Why Mudavadi Is Traveling to Russia

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi will travel to Russia this weekend to seek the repatriation of Kenyans who were allegedly recruited into the Russian military.

According to Nelson Koech, the Belgut MP and chairperson of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, the visit will involve talks with Russian authorities aimed at securing the return of the affected Kenyans.

Speaking during a media interview on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, Koech said Parliament had mandated him to accompany Mudavadi on the trip.

“Let me confirm to the country that Parliament has mandated me this weekend, together with the Prime Cabinet Secretary, to travel to Russia,” said the Belgut MP.

Mudavadi to Travel to Russia to Rescue Stranded Kenyans Recruited into Military

Koech added that the Kenyan delegation will hold meetings with Russian government officials and members of parliament in Moscow early next week.

“We are having meetings on Monday and Tuesday next week in Moscow with the government of Russia and parliament to make sure that the young men who are in Russia, who have been illegally recruited, are able to be repatriated back to the country,” he said.

Also Read: Man Accused of Recruiting Kenyans to Fight in Russia-Ukraine War Arrested

The lawmaker noted that other countries have previously negotiated the return of their nationals in similar circumstances, citing South Africa as an example.

“Two weeks ago, South Africa negotiated for their citizens who were in Russia and those willing to return were allowed to go back home,” Koech said.

The planned visit comes amid growing concerns about Kenyan youths who have reportedly travelled abroad and ended up being recruited into the Russian military to fight in its ongoing war against Ukraine.

Report Shows More than 1,000 Kenyans Recruited into Russia Military

Kenyans have been piling pressure on the government to secure the repatriation of those who have been illegally recruited into the Russian military and to arrest rogue recruitment agencies that are duping unsuspecting Kenyans with promises of lucrative jobs abroad, only for them to end up being recruited into the Russian military.

So far, at least two people have been arrested in Kenya in connection with recruiting Kenyans into the Russian Armed Forces to fight in the war against Ukraine.

Also Read: How Unemployment Is Luring Kenyans Into the Russia–Ukraine War

In February 2026, Kenyan police arrested Festus Omwamba, who is accused of running a recruitment scheme that allegedly trafficked Kenyan youths to Russia under the promise of civilian jobs, only for them to end up fighting in the war.

Prosecutors say he deceived recruits and facilitated their travel and documentation.

Reports indicate that at least one other recruiter has also been arrested as investigations into the network continue.

A report tabled before Parliament from the National Intelligence Service suggested that more than 1,000 Kenyans may have been recruited to fight for Russia, many allegedly lured with promises of well-paying jobs abroad.

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