Ukraine recovers two more bodies of Kenyans fighting for Russia

In a statement, the Ukrainian agency said the bodies of Ombwori Denis Bagaka, 39, and Wahome Simon Gititu, 35, were found near the eastern Ukrainian city of Lyman in the Donetsk region. 

Their remains were reportedly discovered alongside those of another Kenyan, Clinton Nyapara Mogesa, who had earlier been reported killed.

According to the Ukrainian intelligence account, the three men were recruited while working in Qatar for private security companies.

They are said to have travelled to Russia separately in late 2025, where they allegedly signed military contracts.

Bagaka and Mogesa reportedly arrived at a recruitment centre in Yaroslavl on September 27, 2025, while Gititu joined them on October 28.

The agency claims 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 sent to the Pogonovo training ground near Voronezh, linked to military unit No. 11097.

Ukrainian intelligence alleges that the facility is used for accelerated training before recruits are deployed to active combat zones, and that a so-called “penal battalion” within the unit includes prisoners, deserters and foreign fighters.

The three Kenyans were said to have been deployed to the Donbas region and killed during combat operations near Lyman. Ukrainian officials described them as having been sent on high-risk frontline missions with little support.

"While moving through the so-called "kill zone," the Ukrainian Defense Forces eliminated all three mercenaries, the first battle became the last for the Kenyans. It is noteworthy that the russian leaders did not take any measures to support or evacuate the mercenaries from the battlefield," the DIU stated.

The claims have not been independently verified, and Russian authorities have not publicly commented on the specific allegations.

The reports come at a time when Kenya’s labour mobility programme is under growing scrutiny, amid accusations that some job seekers are being misled into dangerous or exploitative situations abroad.

Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua recently defended the programme, saying most Kenyans travelling overseas secure legitimate and well-paying jobs.

Speaking during an event in Malindi, he acknowledged, however, that some young Kenyans had ended up 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 the public to verify job offers through the National Employment Authority (NEA), which regulates recruitment agencies and maintains a list of accredited firms.

Mutua also encouraged Kenyans to confirm opportunities through the NEA website and official hotline, warning that scammers often use visitor visas and false promises to lure victims.

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi previously said the government had received distress inquiries from families, with reports suggesting more than 200 Kenyans may have joined the Russian military since the conflict began in 2022.

Intelligence briefings have indicated that some were allegedly promised up to Ksh.2.3 million to cover travel and logistics, only to find themselves in roles they had not agreed to.