NAIROBI, Kenya — David “Davi” Shitanda’s life began in the streets of Nairobi, where, as a young boy, he became known after joining classmates in protest against a land dispute involving Lang’ata Road Primary School.
But his search for opportunity took him thousands of kilometres away and ultimately into the deadly Russia–Ukraine conflict.
Shitanda left Kenya last year in pursuit of better prospects, travelling to Russia after years of working in construction and other overseas jobs.
Hoping to improve his family’s circumstances, he ended up among the many foreigners recruited into the Russian military effort in Ukraine.
In a final voice note shared by his mother, Shitanda spoke warmly of his family and outlined preparations before going to the front lines — a haunting message that would become his last communication.
“If anything happens to me… I love you all,” he said in a voice note.
Friends later confirmed that Shitanda was killed in a missile strike while fighting in the war, one of dozens of Kenyans caught in a conflict far from home.
During the airstrike, more than 40 Kenyans were allegedly killed.
Only a few survived the attack, and the whereabouts of his body remain unknown, leaving his family without closure as they await support and answers.
Shitanda’s story highlights the harsh realities facing many young Kenyans who, driven by economic hardship, are drawn into perilous situations abroad.
It also underscores broader concerns about recruitment networks that have seen more than 1,000 Kenyans reportedly go to fight in the Russia–Ukraine war, often under promises of work or financial reward.
Back home, Shitanda’s story has stirred sorrow and debate about the structural forces driving young people into perilous situations.
A joint intelligence report by Kenya’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), presented to Parliament in February 2026, revealed that more than 1,000 Kenyan nationals have been recruited to fight for the Russian army in the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war.
This figure is significantly higher than earlier estimates, which had suggested around 200 Kenyans were involved.
According to the report, many of these recruits were allegedly misled by unlicensed recruitment agencies and “rogue” intermediaries who offered promises of well‑paid jobs abroad, including high monthly salaries, bonuses and the possibility of eventually obtaining Russian citizenship.
These agencies reportedly targeted unemployed youth, ex‑military and ex‑police personnel, often using tourist visas via Istanbul, Türkiye, and Abu Dhabi, UAE to get recruits into Russia.
Once in Russia, many recruits were redirected into military training and eventually deployed to frontline combat roles against Ukraine, rather than the non‑combat employment they were led to expect.
The intelligence briefing indicated dozens of Kenyans are hospitalised, missing, deployed in camps, or on the frontline as a result of this recruitment.
