Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei has hosted Russian Ambassador to Kenya, Vsevolod Tkachenko, amid cases of Kenyan nationals reportedly captured while fighting for Russia in its war in Ukraine.
PS Korir, in a statement on Tuesday, October 7, said that he hosted Tkachenko for a bilateral meeting focused on strengthening ties and addressing the safety of Kenyan nationals in Russia.
“Welcomed H.E. Vsevolod Tkachenko, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Kenya, for a bilateral meeting. We reviewed the current state of our bilateral relations and underscored the mutual desire to deepen engagement in areas of shared benefit. I thanked Russia for her sustained solidarity with Africa since the colonial period and its support to the continent and Kenya in multilateral fora,” read part of the statement.
According to Korir, the two diplomats also revisited the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, during which he requested that Ambassador Tkachenko convey Kenya’s desire to see the conflict resolved through a negotiated process to bring an end to the suffering of innocent populations.
PS Korir further noted that the meeting served as an opportunity to reaffirm a joint commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Kenyans residing in the Russian Federation.
“I am grateful for the assurances of the Russian Federation of its policy of intolerance towards involuntary recruitment of non-nationals into its security forces. We both agreed to work together towards the conclusion of a framework to facilitate regular migration between our two countries,” he added.
Kenya seeks Ukraine’s help to repatriate nationals captured on the Russian frontline
Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had clarified that Kenyan nationals reportedly captured while fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war were victims of manipulation and human trafficking.
PS Sing’Oei made the revelation on Monday following a meeting with Ukraine’s new Ambassador to Kenya, Yurii Tokar, who paid him a courtesy call in Nairobi.
“Following recent reports of Kenyan nationals captured by Ukrainian forces while on the frontline, I sought Ambassador Tokar’s support for the Kenyans to access consular assistance and for their repatriation back to the country,” he said.
Also Read: Kenyan Serving in Russian Army Captured in Ukraine
The PS emphasised that most of the affected individuals were misled and trafficked into the conflict zones under false pretences, often lured by promises of lucrative job opportunities abroad.
“I assured him that most Kenyans involved were victims of manipulation and trafficking, and the government was doing everything possible to protect vulnerable Kenyans,” he added.
Sing’Oei reiterated Kenya’s longstanding position that dialogue and respect for national sovereignty remain the most viable paths to resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has entered its third year.
During the meeting with Ambassador Tokar, the Principal Secretary sought Ukraine’s backing for Kenya’s candidature to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council and for Professor Phoebe Okowa’s bid to serve as a judge at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The meeting came a few weeks after a Kenyan athlete, Evans Kibet, who claimed to have been forcefully recruited into the Russian army, was captured by Ukraine’s 57th Motorised Infantry Brigade in the Kharkiv Oblast, near the town of Vovchansk, after surrendering.
A few weeks later, PS Sing’Oei announced that at least four Kenyan nationals have so far been rescued and repatriated back to Kenya after being illegally conscripted into the Russian army. In a statement, he said the efforts were being led by the Kenyan Mission in Moscow.
Kenyans recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war
The meetings come amid growing concern in Kenya over reports that some citizens have been duped into travelling to Russia and other countries under the guise of employment or athletic opportunities, only to end up in combat zones.
Also Read: How Kenyans Are Recruited to Join Ukraine, Russia Military – Combat Veteran Explains
The government has since cautioned Kenyans against falling prey to human trafficking networks exploiting global conflicts for recruitment. Last month, the Russian Embassy in Kenya denied involvement of its nationals in the recruitment ring.
The Embassy, in a press release, denied any links to the recruitment, stating that it had not received any official information from Kenyan authorities regarding claims against Mikhail Lyapin or his activities.
However, reports indicated that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested Lyapin in connection with the recruitment ring to the Russian military and was questioned at Muthaiga police station. DCI claimed he was an employee of the Russian embassy, a claim the mission denied.
The Embassy acknowledged that Lyapin was questioned by the DCI in Nairobi, but only regarding his business activities, stating that he had since left the country.
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