Peter Kamau, whose brother was recruited to the Russian army speaks to the media at Jeevanjee Gardens, Nairobi, on February 19, 2026./TIMON OTIENO

Families of Kenyans reportedly recruited into the Russian military are appealing to the government for urgent intervention, citing claims of trafficking, deception, and forced combat deployment.

Speaking during a media briefing at Jeevanjee Gardens, Nairobi, on Thursday, Peter Kamau, whose brother is among those recruited, said families are living in distress, with some having gone more than four months without hearing from their loved ones.

“These are the relatives of our sons and brothers held in Russia, or rather recruited into the Russian military. Many of these people here have not spoken to their children for over four months now. This leaves us with lots of questions on their welfare. How are they? Could they have been killed? Could they be in Ukrainian prisons?” he said.

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Families whose relatives were recruited to the Russian army speak to the media at Jeevanjee Gardens, Nairobi, on February 19, 2026./TIMON OTIENO
Kamau said the families, working with civil society groups, had prepared petitions addressed to Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, Parliament, and other government offices seeking urgent intervention.
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However, he clarified that the petitions have not yet been presented because the planned procession to deliver them was blocked after police declined to grant clearance.

“We had met here to do a procession to the Russian embassy and also to government offices so that we could present the petitions. Unfortunately, due to technical and legal issues, we have not gotten clearance from the police, so we cannot proceed,” he said.

Families whose relatives were recruited to the Russian army speak to the media at Jeevanjee Gardens, Nairobi, on February 19, 2026./TIMON OTIENO
He added that the families have since rescheduled the procession to next Thursday, expressing hope that authorities will allow them to proceed.

According to Kamau, families want Parliament and the government to intensify diplomatic engagement, provide consular support, and fast-track repatriation of affected Kenyans.

Their demands follow revelations in Parliament by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah that intelligence reports had identified rogue recruitment networks allegedly luring Kenyans with promises of lucrative jobs, only to channel them into military service.

Ichung’wah told lawmakers that more than 1,000 Kenyans had been recruited through the network, with some deployed to the frontlines and others hospitalised, detained, or missing.

Families whose relatives were recruited to the Russian army speak to the media at Jeevanjee Gardens, Nairobi, on February 19, 2026./TIMON OTIENO

Kamau said the families support calls for investigations and accountability for those involved.

“These networks promised high salaries, bonuses, and even Russian citizenship to lure recruits, only for many to be redirected into military training and frontline deployment, some at gunpoint,” he said.

The families say they remain committed to pursuing justice and securing the safe return of their loved ones, expressing hope that the government will act swiftly once their petition is formally presented.