Kenyan Embassy Issues Safety Notice to Kenyans in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan

The Kenyan Embassy in Moscow has called on Kenyans living in or travelling through Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan to register with the mission amid heightened safety concerns.

According to the Embassy, the registration is to allow it to offer effective support to Kenyans in the diaspora, particularly those who may find themselves in distress or require urgent assistance.

In a consular notice dated Friday, September 4, the mission encouraged Kenyans in the Russian Federation, Belarus and Kazakhstan, including those travelling or transiting through the three countries, to notify the Embassy through its website, email, social media platforms or telephone.

“The Embassy also wishes to take this opportunity to continue encouraging the Kenyan diaspora in the Russian Federation, Belarus and Kazakhstan or those travelling/transiting through these accredited countries to register/notify the Embassy through the website, email, social media or via telephone provided,” the Embassy stated.

“The Embassy is open and available to the Kenyan diaspora to access consular services when they are in distress or require any other services, clarifications or necessary assistance,” the mission added.

The Embassy also provided two emergency telephone numbers for Kenyans requiring urgent assistance: +7 (968) 014 84 32 and +7 (968) 014 84 33.

The mission further urged members of the Kenyan diaspora to maintain contact with the Embassy so that they can receive relevant information and assistance whenever necessary.

The move comes amid safety concerns of Kenyan citizens in the three countries, especially in Russia, following the war between Russia and Ukraine.

The latest directive is expected to know the number of Kenyans in the three countries so as to prevent the possibility of Kenyans being recruited to the Russian army to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war and to prevent Kenyans from falling into job scams.

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.

This has led to several Kenyans being left stranded in foreign nations, forcing the Embassy to step in and protect them.

At the same time, the Kenyan government received numerous distress calls from individuals trapped in military camps, suffering from combat injuries, or stranded with limited means of escape.