Nairobi, Kenya — Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence (DIU) has reported the deaths of two more Kenyan nationals allegedly recruited to fight for Russia in the ongoing war against Ukraine, deepening concerns over the safety of Kenyans seeking employment abroad.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Ukrainian intelligence said the bodies of Ombwori Denis Bagaka (39) and Wahome Simon Gititu (35) were discovered near the eastern Ukrainian city of Lyman in the Donetsk region. Their remains were reportedly found alongside that of another Kenyan, Clinton Nyapara Mogesa, whose death had been reported earlier.
According to the DIU, the three men were allegedly recruited while working in Qatar by private security companies before travelling separately to Russia in late 2025, where they are said to have signed military contracts.
Bagaka and Mogesa reportedly arrived at a recruitment centre in Yaroslavl on September 27, 2025, while Gititu joined them a month later on October 28. Ukrainian intelligence claims that a Kyrgyz national, identified as Salizhan Uulu Almamet, acted as their representative—signing contracts on their behalf and taking control of their bank accounts.
From Yaroslavl, the men were allegedly transferred to the Pogonovo training ground near Voronezh, linked to military unit No. 11097. The facility is said to provide accelerated combat training before deploying recruits to active battle zones.
The DIU further alleges that the unit includes a so-called “penal battalion” comprising prisoners, deserters and foreign fighters, who are often sent on high-risk frontline missions.
The three Kenyans were reportedly deployed to the Donbas region and killed during combat operations near Lyman.
“While moving through the so-called ‘kill zone,’ the Ukrainian Defence Forces eliminated all three mercenaries. The first battle became the last for the Kenyans,” the DIU said.
“It is noteworthy that the Russian leadership did not take any measures to support or evacuate the mercenaries from the battlefield.”
The claims have not been independently verified, and Russian authorities have not publicly commented on the specific allegations.
Labour Mobility Programme Under Scrutiny
The latest reports come amid growing scrutiny of Kenya’s labour mobility programme, with accusations that some job seekers are being misled into dangerous or exploitative situations abroad.
Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has previously defended the programme, saying the majority of Kenyans travelling overseas secure legitimate and well-paying jobs. However, speaking recently in Malindi, Mutua acknowledged that some young Kenyans had ended up involved in foreign conflicts.
“Some young men have gone abroad, and they are now fighting for foreign nations,” Mutua said, attributing such cases to a lack of proper due diligence by job seekers and their families.
He urged Kenyans to verify job offers through the National Employment Authority (NEA), which regulates recruitment agencies and maintains a list of accredited firms. Mutua also warned that scammers often use visitor visas and false promises to lure victims into risky situations.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has previously disclosed that the government has received distress calls from families of missing Kenyans, with reports suggesting more than 200 Kenyans may have joined the Russian military since the conflict began in 2022.
Intelligence briefings indicate that some recruits were allegedly promised up to KSh 2.3 million to cover travel and logistics, only to later find themselves forced into roles they had not agreed to.
As investigations continue, the Kenyan government faces mounting pressure to tighten oversight of overseas recruitment and enhance public awareness to prevent further loss of life.
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