Kenya is ramping up diplomatic and consular initiatives to evacuate and safely bring back hundreds of young Kenyans stranded abroad, especially in Russia amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Speaking during a prize-giving day event at Escriva Academy in Makupa, Mombasa, Labour and Skills Development Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime disclosed that the ministry of foreign affairs is leading aggressive repatriation of Kenyans lured abroad through fraudulent means and are now trapped in dangerous conditions.

The statement comes as a National Intelligence Service (NIS) report reveals over 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited – often under false promise of legitimate jobs – into Russia’s military operations with many ending up on the front lines.

Latest statistics indicate 89 are actively deployed in combat zones, 39 are hospitalised, 28 are missing in action, and at least one has been confirmed dead. The government has already successfully repatriated some 30 individuals in recent months, providing them with psychological support and reintegration assistance upon return.

Mwadime highlighted the tragic misuse of visitor visas by vulnerable youths seeking overseas opportunities.

“Some of these young people went to Russia and found themselves in a war zone, having used inappropriate means that have not been approved by the government,” he said.

“It is very unfortunate what has been happening to young Kenyans in Russia and other countries abroad.”

He stressed that a visitor’s visa cannot be converted into a work permit; it’s not possible. You have to apply for a work permit in your home country before moving to the destination country.

The ministry of foreign affairs, in coordination with Kenyan embassies particularly in Moscow, is prioritising the safe evacuation of those stranded.

High-level diplomatic engagements are underway, including meetings with Russian and Ukrainian ambassadors in Nairobi, focus on securing humanitarian corridors, consular access, prisoner-of-war releases, and repatriation protocols for the injured and deceased.

Mwadime outlined complementary domestic measures to prevent further incidents. The government has cracked down on fake recruitment agencies, reducing their numbers by 50 per cent through rigorous vetting involving security agencies.

“Whenever we find them engaging in illegal activities we deregister them immediately,” he stated.

Latest statistics indicate 89 are actively deployed in combat zones, 39 are hospitalised, 28 are missing in action, and at least one has been confirmed dead. The government has already successfully repatriated some 30 individuals in recent months, providing them with psychological support and reintegration assistance upon return.via Kenyan embassies abroad before posting on the National Employment Authority portal.

“There is no way the National Employment Authority will upload a job opportunity on their portal before confirming with our embassies abroad,” he explained.

Airport labour desks at Jomo Kenyatta International and Moi International now verify proper attestation for outbound travellers. The deployment of labour attaches will facilitate ongoing monitoring and rapid intervention for Kenyans abroad facing crises.

“We are also deploying labour attaches who will be able to follow up on whereabouts of these young people and find out where they are working, so that in case they find themselves in a difficult situation, we can address it immediately,” Mwadime explained.

The NIS report is expected to enhance accountability, with Mwadime vowing prosecutions.

“The report released by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) regarding leaders who are conning young people to go abroad will be used to arrest those government officials who are involve themselves in such illegal practices and take them to court. We cannot play with the lives of Kenyans,” he warned.

Beyond repatriation, Mwadime linked the crisis to broader youth employability and announced that his ministry is working in partnership with the ministry of education to guide on career paths from primary school using tools like the Kenya Labour Market Integrated System and a career navigator.

He also appealed to the youth to pursue short-term TVET courses for safer local and verified international opportunities.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Ramadhan Nassib