Around 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited to fight on the Russian side in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The families of 35 of these recruits are now demanding help from the authorities to facilitate their return. Investigative projects have revealed how Russia has lured men from African countries with promises of lucrative civilian jobs, only to force them to fight at the front lines in Ukraine.

On Thursday, during a demonstration in the capital city of Nairobi, families gathered to voice their concerns. They held up posters with images of their loved ones who have left to join the conflict, pleading with the government to 'bring our sons home.' This activist effort reflects the desperation of those affected by the recruitment tactics and highlights the challenges faced by families trying to navigate the repatriation of their loved ones amid a complex geopolitical situation.

In response to these claims, the Russian embassy issued a statement on social media, labeling the allegations as a 'dangerous and misleading propaganda campaign.' This response underlines the tension surrounding the recruitment of Kenyan nationals, and raises questions about the treatment of foreign recruits in the Ukraine conflict, as well as the role of their home countries in mediating their return and safeguarding their rights.