The government has intensified efforts to secure the safe return of over 1,000 Kenyan nationals said to be caught up in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, following growing concerns from their families.

On Friday, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei separately met with the ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine at his Nairobi offices in a bid to strike a deal that could save hundreds of Kenyans, some of whom are stuck in the frontlines of the war.

According to a National Intelligence Service report tabled in Parliament on Thursday, over 1,000 Kenyans have been lured into the war, with 89 currently on the front line, 39 hospitalised and 28 missing in action.

But even before the report shared by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah was made public, the families of some of those known to be in Ukraine fighting gathered at Jeevanjee Gardens on February 19 for a peaceful protest and prayer while demanding the repatriation of their kin.

Ukrainian ambassador to Kenya, Yurii Tokar, and Principal Secretary (PS) for the State Department for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’Oei in a meeting on February 20,2026

Photo

Korir Sing’Oei

They held placards with photos of their relatives and slogans like “Bring our sons home” to demand urgent state intervention. Additionally, the families formally petitioned senior government officials seeking urgent intervention over their relatives caught in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. 

As a result of the growing public pressure, the government has intensified talks with the two warring nations. 

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.

Russian Ambassador to Kenya Vsevolod Tkachenko and Principal Secretary (PS) for the State Department for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’Oei in a meeting on February 20, 2026