Families plead for help as Kenyans stranded, killed in Russia–Ukraine war

Families of Kenyans stranded in Russia are appealing for government intervention to secure the return of their loved ones amid growing reports of deaths, detentions and forced recruitment into the Russia–Ukraine war.

Some Kenyans are reportedly being held as prisoners of war by Ukrainian forces after being captured while fighting on the frontlines alongside Russian troops.

The Kenyan government says those involved were irregularly recruited and has warned Kenyans to be wary of recruitment scams targeting jobseekers abroad.

Citizen TV visited a family that, since December last year, when they received devastating news of the death of their loved one in Russia, has been camping at the State Department for Diaspora Affairs offices in Upper Hill, Nairobi.

They have been making frequent visits, seeking government intervention to facilitate the repatriation of his remains.

Their kin, Oscar Agola Ojiambo, a former Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldier, left the country in June last year to join the Russian army. Barely a month later, communication with him was abruptly cut off, and the family has not heard from him since.

“Alifika akapiga simu kusema amefika. After one month, communication ikakatika,” said Oscar’s cousin Evans Agola.

Peter Shitanda Malalu added, “Kuna information ya mwisho ilisema alienda vita Russia. Latest news ni kwamba Oscar alituacha. Information ilikuja December.”

The family says the prolonged silence and lack of clear communication from the ministry has compounded their grief, leaving them in anguish and uncertainty.

“Information ilikuja December. Tumekuja hapa kutafuta usaidizi kujua mwili itatoka vipi Russia, lakini hatujapata msaada,” Malalu added.

They are not alone. Reports continue to emerge of other Kenyans believed to have died on the frontlines, while some are said to be held captive as prisoners of war.

At the same diaspora department offices, another family was also seeking answers after failing to hear from their relative since November last year.

The family believes he may still be alive and requested anonymity, citing fears that their loved one could be victimised.

“Tunasikia kuna watu wamekufa, kuna wengine wametoka bila miguu. Sisi tuko na wasiwasi,” said one of the family members.

In this case, the circumstances surrounding the recruitment were different. The family says their relative was lured abroad with what appeared to be a legitimate job opportunity, only to arrive in Russia and be offered a military role.

He was reportedly trained for just one month before being deployed to the frontlines.

Foreign and Diaspora Affairs principal secretary Dr Korir Sing’oei acknowledged the situation, saying that while the Kenyan government remains committed to protecting its citizens abroad, some Kenyans have fallen victim to traffickers, cartels and unscrupulous agents.

“It is a case of vulnerable Kenyans who have been baited with opportunities to go and work as either teachers or domestic workers,” said Dr Korir.

“Aliambiwa anaenda kufanya kazi ya guarding warehouse. Kufika huko, akapelekwa kwa jeshi bila yeye kujua,” a concealed source added.

“Wakati alifika, aliniambia amejaribu ku-abscond lakini amelazimishwa. Walikuwa Wakenya sita.”

The principal secretary said Kenyans caught up in the conflict have reached out through official channels, adding that the Kenyan mission in Moscow, working with the government, has managed to repatriate 28 Kenyans since December last year, with efforts ongoing to bring more home.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have the infrastructure to determine the numbers because we were not involved at the point of recruitment. For Kenyans captured by the government of Ukraine and held as prisoners of war, we are in the process of negotiating their release,” said Korir.

Meanwhile, desperate pleas and cries for help shared widely on social media continue to paint a grim picture of irregular recruitment, driven in part by soaring unemployment. The government says it is working closely with the Russian Federation’s mission in Nairobi to curb the rising cases.