Kenya seeks to end the use of its nationals in the Russia-Ukraine war

Kenya's foreign minister took off for a visit to Moscow on Sunday in a bid to put a stop to the recruitment of Kenyans to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Musalia Mudavadi is set to meet several members of the Russian government, including his Kremlin counterpart Sergey Lavrov, on Monday and Tuesday, according to a Kenyan foreign ministry statement.

Mudavadi will bid to secure the repatriation of Kenyans currently stranded in Russia after being lured to the country with promises of well-paid civilian work, only to end up on the front line of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Kenya's intelligence services estimate that more than 1,000 Kenyans have perished as a result, according to a report seen by AFP.

Dignified lives

During his Moscow visit, Mudavadi will also seek to negotiate an agreement allowing Kenyans easier access to the Russian job market.

According to the foreign ministry statement, Nairobi's top diplomat's outreach to the Kremlin "will include a push for the facilitation of the affected Kenyans through a safe process for their repatriation."

"Mudavadi's talks with the Russian top government officials will seek to address the situation that surrounds Kenyans who may have been voluntarily or involuntarily drafted in the Russian military.

"The engagement is focused on a broad coordinated government action to protect Kenyans abroad, by ensuring that they work in a safe working environment and live dignified lives away from home," the statement said.

In late February, South Africa managed to secure the repatriation of 15 of its citizens who had asked for help from the government, claiming to be trapped in the battle front of eastern Donbas region.