BWOMANGA: The silent suffering of Kenyan women in Russia

 I read an article published in the Nation that left me deeply disturbed.

It exposed a harrowing reality of how young Kenyan women, full of hope and ambition, were lured to Russia with promises of education and opportunity, only to find themselves trapped in a nightmare of exploitation.

These women were recruited through a programme called Alabuga Start, which was marketed as a prestigious international training initiative. It promised career development, global exposure, and a better life. But upon arrival in Russia, the truth was far from what they had been told. Instead of classrooms and mentorship, they were forced into labour--assembling military drones in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan.

The conditions were brutal. The work involved handling toxic materials, long hours, and constant surveillance.

Some of these women were even caught in drone strikes--an unthinkable irony, given the very machines they were building.

Their passports were often confiscated, leaving them powerless and unable to leave.

What began as a journey of hope quickly turned into a story of coercion, fear, and survival.

What's even more troubling is the silence.

Despite the mounting evidence, many African governments have remained passive. Some have even signed cooperation agreements with the very institutions responsible for this exploitation.

The lack of diplomatic intervention has left these women isolated and voiceless. And this is not an isolated case. Across the globe, countless Kenyans working abroad face similar fates--domestic workers in the Middle East, labourers in Asia, and students in Europe who are misled and mistreated. These are our brothers and sisters. They work hard, they sacrifice, and they send remittances home that support families and fuel our economy. They deserve protection, not abandonment.

I call on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through our ambassadors and diplomatic missions, to act. There must be systems in place--clear, accessible, and responsive--that allow Kenyans abroad to seek help when they need it. No Kenyan should ever feel alone or forgotten in a foreign land.

We must do more than just react to crises--we must prevent them. That begins with accountability, transparency, and a commitment to safeguarding the dignity and rights of every Kenyan, no matter where they are in the world.

Let us not wait for another tragedy to act. Let us stand up now--for justice, for dignity, and for the lives of those who believed in a better future, only to find themselves betrayed.

By Nyangenya Bwomanga - Eminent Peace Ambassador - UN