Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has issued a stern warning to Kenyans against joining foreign military operations without government approval.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s Explainer with Yvonne Okwara, Mudavadi stressed that participating in such activities is illegal and could lead to legal consequences in Kenya.“One of the things we have to emphasize here is that these Kenyans signed contracts, but we are alive to the fact that we are here to stop the enlistment of Kenyans into special military operations,” Mudavadi said.
He revealed that some citizens involved have either faced possible charges or have been asked to provide statements to investigative agencies in Kenya. “The details will emerge as they face the law in Kenya. 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 added.
The Cabinet Secretary clarified that the government cannot compensate those who were lured abroad under false pretenses because they did not follow official channels or obtain government sanction. “What we can do is assist to bring them home safely,” he said.
Mudavadi highlighted the constitutional rights of Kenyans, noting that freedom of movement is guaranteed. “Kenyans are not restricted when they want to travel; it is their right. There are those who were lured or found their way out through fraudulent agencies, and there are those who knowingly went out there with a very clear intention to enlist in this conflict,” he explained.
He added that the situation exposes gaps in both law and process that the country needs to address. “Lapses in law in the sense that we need to have tighter immigration laws for those who wish to migrate, especially when moving out of Kenya to seek jobs abroad,” Mudavadi said, pointing to the need for stronger legal safeguards to protect citizens.
On the question of Kenyans reported missing while participating in these operations, Mudavadi confirmed that some are on the frontline, making direct communication impossible, while others have been found in hospitals through government coordination. “Actual verification could take longer for those who are recorded as missing in action; we could be talking about 11 people so far,” he said.
Mudavadi emphasized personal responsibility: “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.”
He also provided updates on government efforts to repatriate citizens: “Kenya has already supported 44 Kenyans to get back home. Our mission here, led by Ambassador Mathuki, has been receiving messages from families in Kenya. They have put out a website for Kenyans to indicate where they are. Some of the Kenyans on the frontline have also been sending signals that they are in distress, and they are guided as to how to get to the mission and supported.”
On broader policy, Mudavadi confirmed that the government has taken decisive steps to stop further enlistment of Kenyans into foreign military operations. “It was agreed that there shall be no further enlisting of Kenyans into the special military operations. We are putting closure to any more Kenyans finding their way into this hostility.
However, the process of getting them back is not an instant process; they are in a war zone,” he said.Addressing the human impact, Mudavadi added: “There were numerous messages of distress from Kenyan families of those who have been caught up in the Russia-Ukraine war. I came here primarily to ensure that there is no further enlisting of Kenyans into the special military operations and to ensure that we can be of assistance to Kenyans who are here to get back home to their families. We are working with the Russian government authorities to ensure that Kenyans who are on the frontline are recalled and disengaged.”
On MondayMusalia Mudavadi held bilateral consultations with H.E. Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, during his official visit from 15–18 March 2026. The discussions focused on strengthening Kenya–Russia relations, with the welfare of Kenyan citizens affected by the conflict remaining a central priority.
During the engagement, the Russian Federation agreed to facilitate consular access to Kenyan nationals in hospitals and other civilian facilities, support the repatriation of the injured, and enable the dignified return of the remains of those who have lost their lives.
Both governments also agreed to facilitate the disengagement of Kenyans currently involved in military operations who wish to exit and expedite processing of applicable compensation through established diplomatic channels.Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s legal position that Kenyans should not be enlisted into foreign armed forces, in line with Section 68 of the Penal Code (Cap 63), which prohibits such enlistment without written authority from the President.
Consequently, Kenya has been placed on a STOP LIST for recruitment into the ongoing conflict. The visit also resulted in an agreement to strengthen information sharing to combat human trafficking and smuggling networks exploiting vulnerable individuals.
The Cabinet Secretary reiterated Kenya’s commitment to protecting the safety, dignity, and rights of its citizens wherever they may be.
