“It Is Not Easy”: Missing Kenyan Soldier’s Last Message From War Zone Haunts Relatives

A Kenyan family is uncertain about the whereabouts of a former soldier who last communicated from Russia with a message suggesting difficult conditions on the frontline.

Richard Omondi, 30, sent a final message to relatives on 7 August 2025 via Facebook Messenger from an undisclosed location in Russia. It was the last direct contact his family in Kodumo Village, Rachuonyo East, Homa Bay County, received.

At 11:49am, he wrote to his sister-in-law: 

“I’m good, otek kodwa (I am good, but the situation is difficult).” When asked for more details, he replied at 12:14pm: “Ok oyot,” loosely translated as “it is not easy.” Communication ended after that exchange.

Before leaving Kenya, Omondi served in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) at Nanyuki Barracks for seven years. His relatives say he left service in 2022 after being dismissed and later pursued an unsuccessful appeal for reinstatement. He then remained at home while seeking alternative work.

His family says he later became involved in an overseas recruitment arrangement that promised employment abroad. His father, John Okiri, said they were not told he might be entering a conflict zone. “He told us he had found an opportunity to go abroad for work, but he never mentioned anything about fighting,” he said.

Omondi is believed to have left Kenya in July 2025, travelling through Turkey before entering Russia. During the journey, he remained in contact with relatives and sent brief updates, including a photograph of a meal captioned “Life in Turkey.” He also informed them of travel arrangements and indicated he would proceed to Russia.

Shortly before departure, he asked the family to sell a cow, with part of the proceeds intended for funeral expenses for a relative. The request was later viewed by the family as significant in hindsight.

Relatives say that after arriving in Russia, he was quickly placed in a military environment. He is reported to have received limited additional training and was issued with combat equipment, including a helmet, bulletproof vest and rifle. His previous military experience is believed to have influenced his rapid deployment.

Photographs later shared with his family showed him alongside other African recruits and a Russian soldier, increasing concerns that he had been drawn into a broader recruitment network involving foreign nationals. International reports on foreign fighters in the Russia–Ukraine conflict further heightened these concerns.

Kenyan authorities have engaged with Russian counterparts over reports of nationals recruited into the conflict. However, officials say tracing individuals has been difficult due to inconsistent travel records and complex recruitment arrangements.

Despite diplomatic efforts, the family has not received confirmation of Omondi’s location or condition. In December 2025, a local assistant chief issued a letter confirming his background and the family’s concerns, which has been used in appeals for assistance.

His mother, Teresa Okiri, said the family continues to hope for his return. “I still believe he is somewhere in Russia and that he will come back home,” she said.