Kenya's Embassy in Moscow Warns Citizens Against Travel to Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan

Kenya's Embassy in Moscow has called on Kenyans living in, or travelling through, Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan to register with the mission, citing heightened safety concerns tied to Russia's recruitment of Kenyans into its war against Ukraine. According to Kenyans.co.ke, the mission issued the consular notice on Friday, September 4, 2026.

Register So the Embassy Can Find You

The Embassy said the registration is meant to let it "offer effective support to Kenyans in the diaspora, particularly those who may find themselves in distress or require urgent assistance," and asked citizens to notify it through its website, email, social media, or phone. It provided two emergency numbers: +7 (968) 014 84 32 and +7 (968) 014 84 33.

The notice is also meant to establish how many Kenyans are actually in the three countries - specifically to catch cases before they are recruited into Russia's army or fall into job scams.

A Toll That's Already Documented

The warning follows figures Kenya's government has already disclosed: 289 Kenyans recruited into Russia's military, of whom 69 are dead or missing. Unverified online recruiters and informal agents lured Kenyans to Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan with false promises of well-paying jobs, residency, and safe living conditions and the victims ended up fighting for Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine. Kenya's government has since received distress calls from citizens trapped in military camps, suffering combat injuries, or stranded with no way out - practically coerced to military service in Russia.

A Safe Way Out

Kenyans and other foreign nationals lured into Russia's armed forces have an option to safely escape the battlefield with Ukraine's "I Want to Live" project. Find out more about how servicemen in Russia's army can save their lives here.