Mudavadi made the remarks on Monday after holding high-level diplomatic talks in Moscow with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The discussions focused on the growing concerns surrounding Kenyans who reportedly joined the Russian armed forces, some of whom were recruited amid the ongoing conflict involving Russia and Ukraine.
According to Lavrov, the Kenyan nationals who joined the military did so voluntarily and are therefore bound by the terms of the contracts they signed with the Russian Ministry of Defence.
According to Lavrov, the Kenyan nationals who joined the military did so voluntarily and are therefore bound by the terms of the contracts they signed with the Russian Ministry of Defence.
“All Kenyans, as well as other nationals who signed contracts, did it voluntarily. The contracts did not have any provision for repatriation. When the contracts are effective, they can terminate this contract, but this is done under the Ministry of Defence,” Lavrov explained during the joint press briefing.
The statement effectively means that Kenyan citizens currently serving in the Russian army will have to follow Russian legal processes before they can return home, even as families in Kenya continue to appeal for government intervention.
Mudavadi acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue and noted that the Kenyan government is seeking a diplomatic approach to resolve the matter without straining relations between the two countries.
“Some of these Kenyans did not disclose their intentions when they left the country. Under our laws, engaging in foreign military activities in this way is illegal,” Mudavadi said.
Despite the challenges surrounding those already enlisted, Kenya and Russia reached an agreement aimed at preventing further recruitment of Kenyan citizens into the Russian military.
Mudavadi confirmed that both governments had agreed to halt the enlistment of Kenyans moving forward.
“We have now agreed that Kenyans shall not be enlisted in the Department of Defence and they will no longer be eligible for recruitment into the military here in Russia,” he said during the meeting in Moscow.
The Kenyan government is also working to support its citizens currently in Russia, particularly those who may have been injured or hospitalised while serving. Mudavadi said arrangements are being made to ensure consular assistance is available to Kenyans receiving medical treatment.
“The consular services will also be arranged for Kenyans who are in hospital so that they can be assisted according to the law,” he added.
Reports in recent months suggested that dozens of Kenyans travelled to Russia after responding to what they believed were job opportunities, only to later find themselves enlisted in the military. Some individuals are believed to have died in combat, while others remain stranded far from home.
Mudavadi emphasised that Kenya does not want its diplomatic relationship with Russia to be defined solely by the military recruitment issue or the ongoing war.
“We do not want for any reason our partnership with Russia to be considered through the lens of special operations,” he said.
The Foreign Affairs minister travelled to Moscow on Sunday to engage Russian authorities on the matter and explore ways to support affected Kenyans while strengthening broader bilateral ties between the two nations.
Beyond the immediate concerns, the talks also focused on expanding cooperation in key sectors such as education, agriculture, infrastructure development, labour mobility and energy, areas that both governments say remain vital to the long-term partnership between Kenya and Russia.
“We have now agreed that Kenyans shall not be enlisted in the Department of Defence and they will no longer be eligible for recruitment into the military here in Russia,” he said during the meeting in Moscow.
The Kenyan government is also working to support its citizens currently in Russia, particularly those who may have been injured or hospitalised while serving. Mudavadi said arrangements are being made to ensure consular assistance is available to Kenyans receiving medical treatment.
“The consular services will also be arranged for Kenyans who are in hospital so that they can be assisted according to the law,” he added.
Reports in recent months suggested that dozens of Kenyans travelled to Russia after responding to what they believed were job opportunities, only to later find themselves enlisted in the military. Some individuals are believed to have died in combat, while others remain stranded far from home.
Mudavadi emphasised that Kenya does not want its diplomatic relationship with Russia to be defined solely by the military recruitment issue or the ongoing war.
“We do not want for any reason our partnership with Russia to be considered through the lens of special operations,” he said.
The Foreign Affairs minister travelled to Moscow on Sunday to engage Russian authorities on the matter and explore ways to support affected Kenyans while strengthening broader bilateral ties between the two nations.
Beyond the immediate concerns, the talks also focused on expanding cooperation in key sectors such as education, agriculture, infrastructure development, labour mobility and energy, areas that both governments say remain vital to the long-term partnership between Kenya and Russia.
