Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi has issued a stern warning to Kenyans, particularly the youth, against enlisting in foreign militaries, terming the ongoing recruitment into Russia’s armed forces as illegal and dangerous.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Mudavadi said the government is grappling with a growing crisis involving Kenyan nationals who have reportedly been recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine War.
He emphasized that such enlistment violates Kenyan law and exposes citizens to grave risks, including death and captivity.
“What has been happening is illegal; we are dealing with a situation where there has been a breach of law. No Kenyan can enlist in a foreign army without the explicit approval of the President,” Mudavadi stated.
The CS revealed that distress calls from families have continued to reach the government, with some Kenyans already caught in active combat zones.
He noted that at least two or three individuals are believed to have been captured and are currently being held as prisoners of war, underscoring the severity of the situation.
Mudavadi cautioned against politicizing the matter, describing it as a humanitarian crisis rather than a platform for political debate.
“It is not a political game; it is a real-life situation where people are losing their lives,” he said, adding that the government is prioritizing diplomatic and legal channels to secure the safe return of affected individuals.
According to the Foreign Affairs CS, many of those who traveled to Russia did so voluntarily, either after being lured by promises of lucrative opportunities or knowingly signing contracts outside the government’s purview.
Despite this, he affirmed that the state has a duty to assist its citizens, regardless of the circumstances that led them into danger.
“These Kenyans went there on their own volition; either they were lured or they knowingly entered into these contracts which the government of Kenya has no part in. However, because they are Kenyans, we are here to assist in trying to get them out of the predicament that they have put themselves in,” Mudavadi explained.
He further indicated that Kenya is engaging relevant authorities and international partners to explore possible interventions, including negotiations that could facilitate the extraction of Kenyans from the front lines.
However, he did not provide specific timelines, noting the complexity of dealing with an active war zone.
The remarks come amid increasing reports of foreign nationals being recruited into Russia’s military ranks as the conflict with Ukraine persists.
Kenyan authorities have repeatedly warned citizens against falling prey to such schemes, which often promise high pay but conceal the realities of warfare.
Mudavadi urged young Kenyans to exercise caution and seek lawful opportunities, stressing that the risks associated with foreign military recruitment far outweigh any perceived benefits.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the government faces mounting pressure to secure the safe return of its citizens while preventing further recruitment into the conflict.