MUKURWEINI, Kenya — A Kenyan family has held a memorial service without their son’s body after he was killed while fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine, underscoring the growing toll of deceptive recruitment targeting Kenyan youth.
Relatives of Charles Wangari gathered around his portrait in Mukurweini, Nyeri County, on February 5, months after his death on Christmas Day. His remains could not be retrieved from the battlefield, leaving the family unable to conduct a burial.
Wangari, a former Kubali FC player from Laikipia West, had left Kenya in pursuit of a better life in Europe, particularly Sweden. Instead, he ended up on the frontlines of one of the world’s deadliest conflicts.
According to estimates by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wangari is among more than 200 Kenyans recruited since 2022 to fight for Russia under deceptive circumstances.
Government investigations conducted in February 2026 revealed that recruitment agents operating mainly in Nairobi lured job seekers with promises of well-paying civilian jobs in Russia. The positions were advertised as roles for security guards, warehouse technicians, drivers, cleaners, or industrial workers.
Some recruits were reportedly told they would be “painting drones” or “handling chemicals.”
Victims were promised monthly salaries of up to $18,000 (Sh2.3 million), with assurances that the pay would cover visas, travel, and accommodation. Many desperate and unemployed youths accepted the offers.
Upon arrival in Russia, however, recruits allegedly had their passports and mobile phones confiscated. They were then forced to sign military contracts written in Russian, often under threats and intimidation.
Civil society group Vocal Africa has confirmed at least 18 Kenyan deaths on the frontlines, with many more feared killed or missing. Survivors have described extreme casualty rates among foreign recruits.
In one documented case, 10 out of 11 Kenyan recruits in a single unit were reportedly killed within their first week of deployment.
Among the latest confirmed fatalities is Clinton Nyapara Mogesa, 28, who was killed in January 2026 during a high-risk “meat assault” in eastern Ukraine — a term used to describe waves of poorly equipped soldiers sent into direct combat.
At least four Kenyans have been captured by Ukrainian forces and are currently held as prisoners of war in Kyiv. They are awaiting diplomatic processes for repatriation.
Ukrainian authorities have warned that Russian military contracts offered to foreign nationals are “equivalent to a death sentence,” describing the use of foreign fighters as expendable.
Russian authorities have reportedly told families that death compensation is only available to relatives who hold Russian Federation citizenship, leaving many Kenyan families without financial or legal support.
In response, Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua and Diaspora Principal Secretary Roselyne Njogu have issued public warnings urging Kenyans to avoid overseas job offers obtained through tourist visas or unverified agents.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi announced an official visit to Moscow in February 2026 aimed at negotiating the release and repatriation of Kenyans trapped in the conflict.
At home, multi-agency security teams recently raided recruitment sites near Nairobi, rescuing 21 individuals who were being prepared for deployment and arresting suspected coordinators linked to the scheme.
