MWE Correspondent
Kenya has successfully secured the release of three of its nationals who were taken to Russia under false pretenses and coerced into joining the country’s military.
Officials confirmed that two men and one woman are now safe and are making their way back home, where they will reunite with their families.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry, through Kenya’s embassy in Moscow, coordinated the rescue after receiving credible reports linking the case to a wider human trafficking network. According to officials, the victims were initially promised well-paying jobs abroad but were instead compelled to enlist in the Russian army upon arrival. They were later deployed to the front lines of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War.
This incident has sparked concern at home and abroad, especially after similar reports surfaced in recent weeks. In one widely circulated video, a Kenyan athlete appeared in uniform claiming he had been deceived into joining Russian forces and pleaded for help. That case intensified pressure on the Kenyan government to take swift action.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Korir Sing’oei reassured Kenyans that protecting citizens abroad remains a top priority. “Our government acted immediately to safeguard the lives of those trapped in this ordeal. The safety of Kenyans, wherever they may be, is our highest responsibility,” he said. He added that investigations into local recruitment rings are ongoing, with authorities determined to dismantle networks exploiting vulnerable citizens.
Also Read; Tanzania Enhances Wildlife Protection with New Equipment
Just days earlier, Kenyan security officers conducted a major operation in Nairobi that uncovered a group suspected of luring jobseekers with promises of lucrative employment in Russia. Instead, victims found themselves trapped in a cycle of coercion and forced recruitment. Such cases highlight the growing threat of cross-border exploitation tied to global conflicts.
Analysts warn that incidents like these raise broader humanitarian questions. Forcing civilians into combat not only violates personal rights but could also breach international humanitarian law, which prohibits forced conscription in times of war. Human rights groups are calling for stronger global cooperation to prevent such abuses.
The Kenyan government has urged citizens to remain cautious when offered overseas job opportunities that seem unusually attractive. Officials also pledged to strengthen monitoring systems and consular support to ensure that Kenyans are not lured into dangerous schemes.
