![[LIST]18 Kenyans Rescued, Repatriated From Russia](https://africasnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Nairobi-52.jpg)
[LIST]18 Kenyans Rescued, Repatriated From Russia
The Kenyan government has successfully rescued and repatriated 18 Kenyan nationals who were trapped, injured, or deployed to the military in trouble in the Russian Federation.
This is according to an official register provided by Kenya’s Embassy in Moscow.
The homecoming, coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs through the Kenyan embassy in Russia, came after weeks of diplomatic engagement and consular intervention in the continuing Russia-Ukraine war.
Hundreds of young Kenyans were lured to Russia under false promises and are now trapped in military camps, forced into a war not of their making.#KTNPrime#ktnat35 pic.twitter.com/66mdhux6rm
— KTN News (@KTNNewsKE) December 16, 2025
Benson Osomo Osieko, who had been hospitalized before being rescued and transported back to Kenya, is among those who have returned home.
Shaquille Wambo, Pius Mwika, Derrick Njaga, Kevin Kariuki Nduma, George Rimba Mwagona, Wilson Mwaoka Mwanyalo, and Orima Jobick Otieno were also helped by the embassy and returned home after experiencing various sorts of anguish.
"You will be lied about huge amounts of money" – Kenyan man in Russia exposes the false military pay promises
— KENYA GOSSIP HUB (@kenyasgossips) December 10, 2025
— 🎥 @Plugtv_kenyapic.twitter.com/5b42haDDI5
The embassy also intervened to ensure the repatriation of Vincent Odhiambo Awiti, who suffered a hand injury, while Chitsangi Matano Athman was rescued after reporting to the Kenyan mission in November.
Two Kenyans, Daniel Moogi and Daniel Muriuki, were able to return home on their own, and the embassy confirmed that it had been duly notified of their departures.
The remaining cases featured Kenyans who were seriously injured or deployed to conflict-affected zones.
Newton Maliro was hospitalised in Moscow with a fractured arm and injured leg before being repatriated.
Charles Lengine and John Ngeru Kariuki were deployed to camps and front-line positions in Luhansk, Ukraine, before embassy intervention facilitated their safe return to Nairobi.
Others included Stanley Mungai, who was hospitalised with a right-hand injury and pneumothorax, Brian Kimutai, who was rescued and returned to Kenya in early December, and Michael Barasa, who was admitted to hospital in Balashiha, Russia, before being flown home.
Official Update on the Safe Repatriation of Kenyans in Distress from the Russian Federation. pic.twitter.com/Jb6tVvqPuW
— Musalia W Mudavadi (@MusaliaMudavadi) December 17, 2025
Most of the returnees travelled back to Kenya between September and early December 2025 on commercial airlines.
The airlines included Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, Egypt Air and Turkish Airlines, after being issued with Emergency Travel Documents by the Kenyan mission.
The government has stated that all returnees will receive counselling and reintegration assistance from the State Department for Diaspora Affairs.
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However, the department reiterated advice to Kenyans to take caution when looking for work overseas and to check job offers through proper government channels.
The new rescue raises more concerns about the recruitment of African nationals into the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
According to Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, at least 200 Kenyans have been unlawfully recruited to fight for Russia in the conflict with Ukraine.
The Ministry reports that more rescue efforts are underway.
[LIST]18 Kenyans Rescued, Repatriated From Russia
