The government has rescued and repatriated 18 Kenyans from the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine war, prompting a stern warning to youth about deceptive overseas job offers. The citizens, some bearing serious injuries, were brought home through diplomatic interventions after being lured into the conflict under false pretenses.

This rescue operation casts a harsh light on a growing crisis: the recruitment of young Kenyans into foreign wars. According to Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, credible reports indicate that over 200 Kenyans may have been enlisted into the Russian military since the conflict began in 2022. This situation has forced the government to confront the sophisticated recruitment networks operating both in Kenya and Russia.

The Perilous Journey Home

The path to repatriation was fraught with challenges. The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs confirmed it had received multiple distress calls from Kenyans in various military camps across the Russian Federation. Officials noted that Kenya's embassy in Moscow had confirmed cases of injuries among nationals, with others left stranded after recruitment attempts failed. The 18 who returned were issued emergency travel documents and are now set to undergo a comprehensive reintegration and counselling program to support their return to normal life.

Among those rescued were individuals who had been deployed to frontline positions in Luhansk, Ukraine, and others who were hospitalized with significant injuries, including fractured limbs. The government is actively engaging with Russian authorities to secure the release of more Kenyans and is also in talks with Ukrainian officials to repatriate any citizens being held as prisoners of war.

A Warning to the Nation's Youth

The government's message to young job seekers is now one of extreme caution. "The Government continues to urge young Kenyans who get job offers abroad to liaise with the Ministries of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, and Labour and Social Protection to verify the authenticity of opportunities," Mudavadi emphasized. This warning comes as authorities move to crack down on the agents responsible for this illicit pipeline of fighters.

• **Deceptive Tactics:** Many recruits were reportedly offered what they believed were legitimate civilian jobs, only to be conscripted into military roles with minimal training.
• **Active Networks:** Recruitment networks are believed to be active in both Kenya and Russia, targeting Kenyans, including former members of the country's disciplined services.
• **Government Action:** In response, the government has deregistered over 600 non-compliant recruitment agencies to curb the fraudulent schemes.

As these 18 citizens begin their recovery, their ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers of seeking fortune abroad. The government has vowed to dismantle the networks that prey on the hopes of its youth, but the primary defense remains vigilance.