Practically 1,000 Kenyans preventing in Ukraine : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4200x2800+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F20%2Fbc%2Faabd3f2646ba9b96342c9c5c0410%2Fgettyimages-2261881256.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4200x2800+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F20%2Fbc%2Faabd3f2646ba9b96342c9c5c0410%2Fgettyimages-2261881256.jpg" class="img" alt="Relatives of Kenyan nationals conscripted by the Russian army in Ukraine pose with photos of their family members during a demonstration demanding urgent government action to repatriate their kin, in Nairobi on Feb.19, 2026." fetchpriority="high"/> Family of Kenyan nationals conscripted by the Russian military in Ukraine pose with pictures of their members of the family throughout an illustration demanding pressing authorities motion to repatriate their kin, in Nairobi on Feb.19, 2026. Simon Maina/AFP through Getty Pictures cover caption

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Simon Maina/AFP through Getty Pictures NAIROBI, Kenya — In Sikonga village, Kisii County, a mom's wails fill the home. Dennis Bagaka Ombwori, 39, the second-born son of John and Esther Ombwori, is the newest Kenyan confirmed useless within the Russia–Ukraine struggle.

Villagers collect outdoors, providing what little consolation they'll, however Esther Ombwori can't be consoled. Dennis labored as a safety officer in Qatar when recruiters approached him with what gave the impression to be a greater supply. However his household says he by no means knew what the job actually was.

His brother, Alfred Morara, stated the information had shattered the household.

"They weren't advised which job they wished to do. They have been taken to Russia." Morara stated. "He was recruited as a international soldier in Russia. They began preventing for Russia in opposition to Ukraine."

Lots of of miles away in Nairobi, the Ogolla household mourns the same loss. 32-year-old Oscar Agola Ojiambo vanished shortly after becoming a member of the Russian military final June. Months later, his household continues to be ready for solutions — and for his physique.

"The commanders on the struggle entrance revealed that my son died on 14 August 2025," says Charles Ojiambo Mutoka, Oscar's father. "That revelation got here in January this yr, however the Russian authorities has not disclosed it to subsequent of kin."

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4200x2800+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0a%2F1e%2F87786b3b44cdb809ba36c71e4537%2Fgettyimages-2260105784.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4200x2800+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0a%2F1e%2F87786b3b44cdb809ba36c71e4537%2Fgettyimages-2260105784.jpg" class="img" alt="Charles Ojiambo Mutoka, 72, stands with portraits of his son Oscar, who was killed in Aug. 2025, during a press conference in Nairobi on Jan. 27, 2026, where relatives of conscripts called on the government to urgently repatriate their loved ones." loading="lazy"/> Charles Ojiambo Mutoka, 72, stands with portraits of his son Oscar, who was killed in Aug. 2025, throughout a press convention in Nairobi on Jan. 27, 2026, the place kin of conscripts known as on the federal government to urgently repatriate their family members. Tony Karumba/AFP through Getty Pictures cover caption

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Tony Karumba/AFP through Getty Pictures For households just like the Ombworis and the Ogollas, hope is slipping away. A report introduced to Parliament on Wednesday by Kenya's Nationwide Intelligence Service estimates that greater than 1,000 Kenyans are presently preventing in Ukraine — far increased than earlier figures.

The federal government says they're working to establish and repatriate Kenyans caught within the battle, however the scale of the issue is staggering.

Based on the intelligence report, 89 Kenyans stay on the frontline, 39 have been hospitalized, and 28 are lacking in motion.

Since December, at the least 30 have been repatriated after leaving the battle, with many recounting harsh battlefield situations. A few of these lacking or feared useless are former Kenya Defence Forces personnel.

In Parliament, the report has sparked alarm, the place lawmakers say they're shocked by the dimensions of the issue. Majority Chief Kimani Ichung'wah stated officers in each Nairobi and Moscow performed a job in sending Kenyans to the frontlines.

"Extra telling is the collusion by officers on the Russian Embassy and the Kenyan Embassy in Moscow," Ichung'wah advised Parliament. "Our ambassador in Moscow should be capable to establish the officers inside the embassy that will have colluded with these criminals."

Opposition MP Joseph Makilap, who pushed for the intelligence report back to be launched, stated the dimensions of the recruitment was staggering.

"I'm extraordinarily shocked within the method by which Kenyans might be really taken all the best way to Moscow to battle one other sovereign nation known as Ukraine."

Dr. Korir Sing'Oei, principal secretary on the Ministry of International Affairs, says younger Kenyans are falling sufferer to unscrupulous recruitment networks.

"Some Kenyans have been irregularly recruited to serve inside the context of the continuing Ukrainian-Russian battle," Singoei stated. "Sadly, of their want to work overseas, many Kenyans fall sufferer to unscrupulous teams."

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4200x2800+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F78%2Fd5%2F0cac1f704fda9da041d40506f452%2Fgettyimages-2261877180.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4200x2800+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F78%2Fd5%2F0cac1f704fda9da041d40506f452%2Fgettyimages-2261877180.jpg" class="img" alt="A poster showing a Kenyan conscripted by the Russian army in Ukraine is displayed during a prayer and peaceful demonstration in Nairobi on Feb. 19, 2026. According to an intelligence report presented to Kenya’s parliament, more than 1,000 Kenyans have gone to fight for Russia, most reportedly tricked into signing military contracts." loading="lazy"/> A poster exhibiting a Kenyan conscripted by the Russian military in Ukraine is displayed throughout an illustration in Nairobi on Feb. 19, 2026. Based on an intelligence report introduced to Kenya's parliament, greater than 1,000 Kenyans have gone to battle for Russia, most reportedly tricked into signing navy contracts. Simon Maina/AFP through Getty Pictures cover caption

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Simon Maina/AFP through Getty Pictures Coaching for recruits is proscribed, in line with the Majority Chief Ichung'wah. "No person within the navy trains individuals for 3 weeks. Some have solely 9 days of preparation."

"They're mainly given a gun and despatched to die," Ichung'wah advised Parliament.

The Russian Embassy in Nairobi has dismissed the allegations as "harmful and deceptive," saying its employees have by no means been concerned in "rogue schemes" or any type of unlawful recruitment.

In a put up on X, the Embassy said: "At no level throughout the ongoing disaster in Ukraine has the Embassy issued visas to Kenyan residents looking for to journey to Russia with the said goal of collaborating within the Particular Army Operation (SMO) in Ukraine. Nor has the Embassy inspired any Kenyan citizen to take action."

Based on the Kenyan intelligence report the recruitment networks contain each Kenyan and international actors. A lot of these enlisted journey via Uganda, South Sudan, or South Africa to keep away from detection. Others depart safe jobs within the Center East for contracts promising 1000's of {dollars} and the potential of Russian citizenship after a yr on the frontlines.

Recruits are promised a month-to-month wage of as much as 350,000 Kenyan shillings ($2,400), with bonuses starting from 900,000 to 1.2 million shillings ($6,200–$8,300).

Throughout the continent, this case is way from remoted. In November, Ukraine's Minister of International Affairs Andrii Sybiha, stated greater than 1,400 Africans from over 30 international locations have been preventing for Russia — although Kenya's personal figures recommend which may be a conservative estimate.

Younger males are promised jobs as drivers or safety guards, with salaries ten occasions what they may earn at house. As a substitute, many are despatched to the frontlines.

Kenya's International Minister is ready to journey to Russia to push for a deal banning the conscription of Kenyan troopers — a mission households just like the Ogollas are pinning their hopes on.

For the Ogollas and lots of others, it's greater than a coverage negotiation — it could possibly be a lifeline, providing solutions and a path house for the lots of of younger Kenyans nonetheless trapped preventing in a struggle that's not theirs.