Kenyan Man Killed in Ukraine Conflict After Being Recruited into Russian Military

A 29-year-old Kenyan man, Clinton Nyapara Mogesa, has been killed in Russia, with reports indicating he was recruited into the Russian military under false pretences.

Nyapara, from Riateri village in Kisii County, left Kenya in 2024 for Qatar in search of better job opportunities. His family had sold part of their land to finance his journey, hoping his earnings would support them. 

However, Ukrainian authorities revealed that Nyapara later signed a contract with the Russian armed forces and was killed in an assault unit in the Donetsk region. His body was reportedly found with passports belonging to two other Kenyan nationals believed to have been similarly recruited.

The Ukrainian Defence Intelligence agency issued a warning about the risks of foreign recruitment into Russian military service, urging citizens to avoid travel to Russia and to be cautious of employment offers that may involve conscription.

Back in Kisii, Nyapara's family is struggling to comprehend his death. 

His brother, Joel Mogere, expressed shock that the family had never been informed of his brother's recruitment into the Russian military. Nyapara had been their main breadwinner, particularly supporting their mother, Mellen Moraa, with her medical needs.

The family has called on Kenya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assist in bringing Nyapara's body back for burial and to investigate the recruitment networks involved.