By Afrireport 
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi is set to visit Russia in a high stakes diplomatic mission as the Kenyan government intensifies efforts to protect citizens lured into foreign conflicts under false pretences.
The planned visit comes amid the successful repatriation of 27 Kenyan nationals who were allegedly deceived by recruitment agents and trafficked into active war zones after being promised lucrative jobs abroad.
The returnees, most of them young and unemployed, are said to have been misled with offers ranging from security work to construction and logistics, only to find themselves forced into combat related roles.
Government officials say Mudavadi’s visit will focus on strengthening diplomatic engagement with Moscow, seeking accountability and ensuring Kenyan citizens are not exploited by international recruitment networks operating under the cover of foreign employment opportunities.
The talks are also expected to touch on labour migration safeguards, bilateral cooperation and the protection of vulnerable job seekers.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the repatriated citizens were facilitated back home through coordinated efforts involving Kenyan missions abroad, international partners and host authorities.
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Medical, psychological and legal support is being arranged for the returnees, many of whom reportedly endured harsh conditions and exposure to violence.
This incident has exposed dangerous gaps in international labour recruitment and human trafficking networks that prey on desperation,” a senior government official said. “Kenya is engaging at the highest diplomatic level to ensure such cases are not repeated.”
The government has also issued a stern warning to Kenyans seeking employment abroad to verify job offers through licensed agencies and official government channels.
Authorities revealed that investigations are ongoing to identify local and international agents involved in the illegal recruitment schemes.
Mudavadi’s Russia visit signals Kenya’s growing willingness to confront global partners diplomatically when the safety of its citizens is at stake.
The move reflects a broader shift toward assertive foreign policy, particularly in protecting migrant workers and combating cross border human trafficking.
As the 27 returnees reunite with their families, pressure continues to mount on the government to tighten oversight of labour export programs and hold perpetrators accountable.
For many Kenyans, the episode serves as a painful reminder that the promise of opportunity abroad can quickly turn into a nightmare when exploitation goes unchecked.
