Families of Kenyan men recruited to fight for Russia in its war in Ukraine staged a protest in the capital, Nairobi, on Thursday, demanding government intervention to bring their relatives home.

Carrying photographs of their sons—some reported wounded or missing—the demonstrators called on authorities to secure their return and to ban the recruitment of Kenyans to fight in Moscow’s war.

Chanting slogans such as “Bring back our sons,” the families also petitioned parliament to investigate the circumstances under which the young men were recruited.

Odhiambo Ojiro, a rapid response officer at the human rights organisation Vocal Africa, said the group was demanding an immediate response from the Kenyan government.

“The government of Kenya is involved. So we are urging and demanding that they meet the families today or immediately so that we bring back all Kenyans in Russia, whether dead or alive,” he said.

An intelligence report presented to parliament by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah alleged that officials from Kenya and Russia colluded with recruitment agencies to lure Kenyans to the frontlines of the conflict.

The Kenyan government said last month that more than 1,000 Kenyans had been recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine, with at least 89 believed to still be on the battlefield.

Authorities confirmed one death and said 39 Kenyans had been hospitalised, while 28 were missing in action. Several others have since returned home.

Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi previously said he planned to travel to Russia as part of a diplomatic effort to curb the recruitment scheme and address those “taking advantage of anyone.”

Mudavadi added that discussions were underway to secure the release of Kenyans captured in Ukraine as prisoners of war and to repatriate those still in Russia.

Among the protesters was Monica Wanjiku Gwere, the grandmother of Isaac Kungu, a 28-year-old who travelled to Russia in 2025. She appealed to the government to help return her grandson.

“The president should be told that we are crying because of our children, and we would want them to be repatriated. If they are dead, they should be brought back for burial,” she said.

Evans Jumba, whose son Nickson Nyabuti is currently in Russia, said Kenyan civilians should not be involved in the conflict.

“Our sons have no training in the military. They have no training even in the police. One cannot train for only one week or two weeks and then join the Russian army, an army of that nature and stature,” he said.

Families of the recruits have called for those responsible for the scheme to face prosecution for human trafficking, forced recruitment, and potential violations of international humanitarian and labour laws.

So far, two Kenyans have been charged with human trafficking in connection with the case.