Families of young Kenyan men allegedly deceived into fighting for Russia in the war in Ukraine staged protests in Nairobi on Thursday, urging the government to help bring their sons home.
Holding photographs of relatives who are wounded, missing, or still on the battlefield, the demonstrators called for urgent government action. Chanting “Bring back our sons,” they also appealed to parliament to ban the recruitment of Kenyans to fight for Russia.
Odhiambo Ojiro, a rapid response officer with the human rights organization Vocal Africa, accused the Kenyan government of remaining silent on the issue. He said families are demanding immediate talks with officials to ensure all Kenyans in Russia are returned home, whether alive or deceased.
According to an intelligence report presented to parliament by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Kenyan and Russian officials allegedly worked with recruitment agencies to lure young Kenyans to the warfront.
Last month, the Kenyan government revealed that more than 1,000 citizens had been recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine, with at least 89 still on the front lines. Authorities confirmed one death so far, while 39 Kenyans have been hospitalized, 28 are missing in action, and others have already returned home.
Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi previously said he planned to travel to Russia as part of a diplomatic effort to stop those exploiting Kenyan citizens. He also noted that discussions were underway to secure the release of Kenyans captured in Ukraine as prisoners of war and to repatriate those still in Russia.
Monica Wanjiku Gwere, the grandmother of 28-year-old Isaac Kungu who traveled to Russia in 2025, pleaded for the government to bring her grandson home.
“We are crying for our children,” she said. “If they are dead, they should be brought back so we can bury them.”
Evans Jumba, whose son Nickson Nyabuti is currently in Russia, said Kenyans should not be involved in the conflict.
“Our sons have no military training, not even police training,” he said. “You cannot train someone for just one or two weeks and send them to join the Russian army.”
Families of the affected men say those responsible for the recruitment scheme must face prosecution for human trafficking, forced recruitment, and potential violations of international humanitarian and labour laws.
So far, two Kenyans have been charged with human trafficking in connection with the case.
