The Kenyan government has announced an expansion of diplomatic efforts to secure the release of its citizens who were irregularly recruited to serve as soldiers in the Russia-Ukraine war.

• Nearly 20 young Kenyans have already been rescued and repatriated from dangerous situations linked to the conflict.
• Foreign Affairs Principal Korir Sing’Oei stated that diplomatic efforts will be expanded over the "next couple of weeks."
• Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi confirmed that some lives have been lost, following reports from the Kenyan embassy in Moscow.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi confirmed the government has repatriated nearly 20 Kenyans lured into the Russia-Ukraine war through fake job scams, issuing a strong warning against fraudulent overseas employment offers. This comes after the recovery of three Kenyan bodies from eastern Ukraine on February 6, 2026, shedding light on a pervasive issue of recruitment fraud.

• Mudavadi stated that 20 Kenyans were rescued after being duped into fighting in the war, without disclosing specific countries due to diplomatic concerns.
• The three deceased Kenyans were identified as Ombwori Denis Bagaka (39), Wahome Simon Gititu (34), and Clinton Nyapara Mogesa (28), all victims of recruitment fraud who were promised high-paying jobs but ended up in a penal battalion.
• Mudavadi urged families to verify overseas employment offers with the Ministry of Labour and the Diaspora Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighting that even relatives of government officials have fallen victim to these scams.

Families of Kenyans who traveled to Russia for promised jobs are demanding answers from the government regarding their loved ones, months after communication ceased. Fourteen families gathered at Jevanjee Gardens in Nairobi, sharing harrowing accounts of relatives who left Kenya between October and November last year.

• Ukrainian intelligence indicated the recovery of bodies belonging to Denis Ombwori, Simon Wahome, and Clinton Nyapara Mogesa, all Kenyan fighters.
• Esther Njenga's nephew, John Njenga Wanjiru, left Kenya in October 2023 and last communicated on November 24, stating he was being taken to the front line without network access.
• Peter Kamau Gitau's brother, Gerard Gitau, left on October 4 last year, and communication ended on November 14 after he revealed deployment to ferry supplies to the front line for the Russian military.