Gachagua Accuses Ruto, CS Mutua of Misleading Kenyan Youth to Fight in Russia
Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto and Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua of allegedly misleading Kenyan youth into travelling to Russia with promises of employment, only for them to be deployed into active combat zones amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Speaking on Saturday during a traditional dowry ceremony in Nyeri County, the former Deputy President claimed that young Kenyans were recruited under the assurance that they would secure civilian jobs in factories and as drivers, but instead found themselves thrust into frontline fighting upon arrival in Russia.
“We are feeling deep pain because Ruto lied to our children by promising them jobs,” Gachagua said. “They were told they were going to work in factories and drive vehicles, but when they reached Russia, they were told to go to war.”
Gachagua further alleged that those affected were not trained soldiers and were ill-prepared for the realities of war, including exposure to freezing temperatures, live ammunition, and aerial bombardment. He claimed the circumstances had led to multiple deaths, some of which never result in the return of bodies to Kenya.
“Our children are dying because of cold weather, bombs and bullets,” he stated. “Some come back as corpses. Others never come back at all, and families are forced to conduct mock burials.”
The opposition leader urged the government to take immediate steps to facilitate the safe return of all Kenyans who, he claimed, were misled into travelling abroad under false pretences. He insisted that it was better for the youth to struggle at home with their families than to perish in a foreign conflict.
“Bring our children back alive. Let them endure hardship here at home, not return in coffins,” he added.
Gachagua’s remarks come amid growing scrutiny over reports of Kenyan nationals being killed while fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. On Friday, February 6, Ukrainian Defence Intelligence confirmed the recovery of the bodies of two Kenyan citizens, Ombwori Denis Bagaka and Wahome Simon Gititu, who were killed near the city of Lyman in Ukraine’s Donetsk region.
According to Ukrainian authorities, the two men were identified using Kenyan passports and personal documents found at the scene. Their bodies were reportedly discovered close to that of another Kenyan national, Clinton Nyapara Mogesa, who had been killed earlier in the same area during similar combat operations.
Ukrainian officials stated that intelligence findings indicate the three Kenyans were recruited in Qatar after being promised stable and well-paying security-related jobs. They allegedly travelled to Russia, underwent brief military-style training, and were later deployed to the Donbas region as part of assault units.
“The recruits were sent into a heavily fortified combat zone during an advance on Lyman,” Ukrainian intelligence officials said in a statement, noting that Russian forces allegedly failed to provide adequate support or evacuate the bodies after the battle.
The developments have intensified debate in Kenya over the recruitment of citizens for foreign employment, particularly in high-risk regions. Labour migration experts and human rights advocates have repeatedly warned of deceptive recruitment practices targeting unemployed youth, urging stronger government oversight and bilateral safeguards.
While the Kenyan government has previously cautioned citizens against taking up suspicious overseas job offers, it has yet to publicly respond to Gachagua’s specific accusations against President Ruto and CS Mutua. The Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have also not issued fresh statements addressing the latest claims or the deaths confirmed by Ukrainian authorities.
As families of the deceased await further information, pressure continues to mount on the government to clarify the circumstances under which Kenyan nationals are recruited abroad and to ensure the safety of citizens seeking work outside the country.
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Gachagua Accuses Ruto, CS Mutua of Misleading Kenyan Youth to Fight in Russia
