Family seeks answers as Kenyan fighting for Russia killed in Ukraine

A Kenyan family is seeking answers and support to repatriate the body of their 29-year-old relative, who was killed in Ukraine while fighting for Russia.

Clinton Nyapara Mogesa, 29, initially left Kenya for a job in Qatar in 2024, but later told his relatives that he was travelling to Russia.

On Saturday, Ukrainian authorities reported that he had died in a so-called "meat assault" - one involving high casualty numbers - in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, after being recruited in Qatar. They said the Russians did not evacuate his body, and he was carrying the passports of two other Kenyans.

His death comes amid growing concerns about Kenyans being recruited to fight in the war in Ukraine.

Vincent Okemwa, Mogesa's cousin, said they did not believe it when they were informed of his death. He said the news was first relayed to Mogesa's brother by a colleague who had a relative in Russia, before it was made public.

He told the BBC Newsday programme that Mogesa had notified them when he moved to Russia from Qatar and they were in communication during his training there for three weeks.

They had however not heard from him after the training, and the last time they had spoken was on 28 October.

Okemwa told the BBC that after his death, Mogesa's family was now in a "pathetic state". He said Mogesa's father had sold land to facilitate his son's travel to Qatar and he was his family's hope for a better life.

"I don't know how I can put it, but things are not good," he said.

"He had good plans for the family and now everything has been shattered."

Okemwa says the family has been in "total darkness" as they have not had any communication from the authorities in either Kenya or Russia.

"His death has shocked us," his brother Joel Mogere told local Citizen TV. He said Mogesa was the last-born and "the breadwinner and the hope of this family".

His mother, Mellen Moraa, said she was diabetic and that her son used to pay for her medication and take care of her, and said she did not know what to do.

"I plead with the government for help," she added.

The government last month said that 18 Kenyans who had been fighting in Russia had been rescued and repatriated.

Last week, rights group Vocal Africa said they were following up on at least 18 cases of Kenyans who were either dead or missing. They have asked the government to verify the figures, adding that the number was likely to be higher.

The Kenyan government has not confirmed the deaths of any of its nationals killed in Ukraine.

Last November, Kenya's foreign minister said about 200 Kenyans were known to be fighting for Russia and that recruitment networks were still active.

Other African countries have reported cases of young people being approached with offers of lucrative jobs in Russia that later led to military recruitment.

Ukraine's intelligence assessment estimates that more than 1,400 people from 36 countries in Africa have been recruited to fight for Russia.

Ukraine has also previously come in for criticism for trying to recruit foreign nationals, including Africans, to fight on its side.

In the past Ukraine has repeatedly warned that anyone fighting for Russia would be treated as an enemy combatant, with the safe route out being to surrender.

Ukraine's intelligence agency on Saturday cautioned foreign nationals against travelling to Russia or accepting employment there, particularly informal or illegal work.

It said travelling there "carries a real risk of being forcibly deployed to assault units without adequate training and with little to no chance of survival".

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