Kenyans who joined Russia war without gov't approval broke the law - Mudavadi

Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV's The Explainer via livestream from Moscow, Mudavadi explained that many of the affected individuals voluntarily signed contracts, hence complicating the repatriation process. 

He noted that Kenyans seeking to fight for a foreign country must first obtain approval from the Kenyan government before participating.

"One of the things we have to emphasize here is that these Kenyans signed contracts, but we are alive to the fact that we are here to stop the enlistment of Kenyans into the special military operations," Mudavadi stated. 

"Some Kenyans are facing either possible charges or they have had to write statements with some of our investigative agencies in Kenya for having been part of a process and the details are going to emerge as they face the law in Kenya. What has been happening is illegal. We are dealing with a situation where there has been a breach of law."

He, however, added that the government would explore options, including amnesty, after repatriating the Kenyans, noting that the State is not indifferent to their plight.

On how the Kenyans managed to travel to Russia undetected, the CS acknowledged lapses in the law and systems that provide an opportunity for third-party companies to exploit. 

"The Constitution of Kenya allows freedom of movement. Kenyans are not restricted when they want to travel; it is their right. There are those who were lured or found their way out through fraudulent agencies, and there are those who knowingly went out there with a very clear intention to enlist in this conflict," he added. 

"There are lapses both in law and in processes that we have to address as a country. Lapses in law in the sense that we need to have tighter immigration laws for those who wish to migrate when it comes to moving out of Kenya and going to seek jobs outside."

The CS further disclosed that Kenya has already facilitated the return of dozens of its citizens, with more seeking assistance through official channels.

"Kenya has already supported 44 Kenyans to get back home. Our mission here, led by Ambassador Mathuki, they have been receiving messages from the families in Kenya, sending messages and requests. They have put out a website for Kenyans to indicate where they are. Some of the Kenyans on the frontline have also been sending signals that they are in distress, and they are guided as to how to get to the mission and supported," he noted. 

Mudavadi added that an agreement has now been reached to halt any further recruitment of Kenyans into the conflict, even as efforts to evacuate those already involved continue.

"It was agreed that there shall be no further enlisting of Kenyans into the special military operations. We are putting closure to any more Kenyans finding their way into this hostility. However, the process of getting them back is not an instant process; they are in a war zone," he remarked.