Govt moves to repatriate over 1,000 Kenyans caught in Russia-Ukraine war
By Aloys Michael, February 20, 2026The government has ramped up diplomatic efforts to ensure the safe evacuation of more than 1,000 Kenyans trapped in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Amid mounting pressure from distressed families, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei held high-level talks on Friday, February 20, 2026, with the ambassadors of both nations at his Nairobi office.
The discussions focused on securing humanitarian arrangements and safe passage for Kenyans reported to have been caught on the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine war, as the government moves swiftly to protect its citizens abroad.
According to a report by the National Intelligence Service that was tabled in Parliament on Thursday, more than 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited into the conflict, with 89 currently deployed on the front lines, 39 receiving medical treatment in hospitals, and 28 listed as missing in action.
Even before the findings were publicly presented by Kimani Ichung’wah, families of some of those fighting in Ukraine had convened at Jeevanjee Gardens on February 19, 2026. There, they held a peaceful protest and prayer vigil, calling on the government to facilitate the safe return of their loved ones.
Sing’Oei held discussions with the Ukrainian ambassador to Kenya, Yurii Tokar, and according to a statement by his office, the PS raised concerns about Kenyan nationals affected by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and explored mechanisms for their possible repatriation.
Additionally, the PS also addressed the issue of fraudulent recruitment of Kenyan citizens into the conflict, outlining measures being taken domestically by the country to prevent further fraudulent recruitments.
“During our discussions, I underscored the government’s serious concern regarding Kenyans captured on the frontlines of the Russian-Ukrainian war and held as POWs,” Sing’Oei said.
Separately, the PS met with Russian Ambassador to Kenya Vsevolod Tkachenko and asked for full consular access to Kenyans in conflict areas. He requested clear procedures for bringing home prisoners of war and the remains of those who died.
Similarly, he welcomed the efforts by the Russian government to flush out fake recruitment agencies.
“I called for unimpeded consular access to our citizens and sought clear, transparent protocols regarding the repatriation of both prisoners of war and the remains of the deceased,” Sing’Oei said in a statement.
The talks come as a petition was submitted to the Prime Cabinet Secretary and the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, and the Cabinet Secretary for Labour, Alfred Mutua, as well as the National Assembly and the Senate, calling for swift action to facilitate repatriation and protect Kenyan nationals affected by the war.