Kenyan man repatriated from Moscow after forced recruitment into Russian military
Kariuki’s return follows the recent rescue of three other Kenyans—Shaquille Wambo, Pius Mwika, and Derrick Njaga—by the Kenyan mission in Moscow.
Foreign Affairs PS Sing’Oei Korir has confirmed that a fourth Kenyan, identified as Kevin Kariuki Nduma, is on his way back home from Moscow after being irregularly conscripted into the Russian military.
Kariuki is among several Kenyans lured with promises of lucrative jobs in Russia, only to end up fighting against Ukrainian forces in the ongoing war.
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Some Kenyans have reportedly been killed in the conflict, while survivors often return maimed, with several already seeking medical care in local hospitals.
In a post on X, the PS cautioned Kenyans to carefully verify the authenticity of foreign employment offers and to seek guidance from the Ministry—particularly the Diaspora State Department—if they have any doubts.
“I commend our Mission in Moscow for the effort to rescue and repatriate Kenyans caught in this unfortunate and dangerous situation,” he said.
Three others rescued
Kariuki’s return follows the recent rescue of three other Kenyans—Shaquille Wambo, Pius Mwika, and Derrick Njaga—by the Kenyan mission in Moscow.
The embassy continues to handle multiple cases of Kenyans tricked into travelling to Russia for jobs, only to be enlisted in the army. Some of those forced into combat have ended up as prisoners of war in Ukrainian custody.
“We assure the families that our Mission in Moscow and our teams at HQ are pursuing the matter with all diligence,” the PS assured last week.
Meanwhile, detectives are interrogating Edward Kamau Gituku, a Kenyan suspected of coordinating the processing of victims scheduled to travel this month and next for enlistment.
Kamau was arrested by officers from the Transnational Organised Crime Unit after 22 Kenyans, allegedly preparing to travel to Russia under similar arrangements, were rescued at Great Wall Gardens in Athi River last week. He is believed to have rented multiple houses in the estate to harbour victims before their departure.
Working with accomplices
Investigators suspect Kamau is working with accomplices across the country who form part of a wider cartel trafficking Kenyans to Russia. Police have been granted 10 days to detain him as investigations continue and more suspects are pursued.
Separately, another suspect, Mike (Mikhail) Lyapin, a Russian national linked to the trafficking ring, was deported to Moscow last week.
The Russian Embassy confirmed his deportation in a statement dated September 26.
The EastleighVoice has established that Lyapin was put on an Air Arabia flight that departed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) the same day at 1:50 pm.
“In the evening of September 25, 2025, Kenyan law enforcement officers escorted Mikhail Lyapin, a citizen of the Russian Federation, to one of Nairobi offices of the Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in order to question him about his business activities in the country. Upon completing all necessary procedures, in the afternoon of September 26, Mr Lyapin left Kenya,” the Embassy said.
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