Kenyan IT Worker Says He Was Lured Overseas, Ended Up on Frontline

A Kenyan software specialist says he was misled into travelling abroad for work and was instead deployed to the frontline of the war in Eastern Europe.

Joseph Kabugi, 41, reports that he accepted what he believed to be a technical role overseas. Upon arrival, he says the terms changed abruptly. He underwent brief and basic military training before being sent to an active combat zone.

In recorded statements shared online, Kabugi describes conditions at the front as disorganised. He reports limited communication with commanding officers, shortages of essential supplies, and a lack of coordination among troops. He recalls that a drone strike forced his unit to abandon its position, leading to a disorderly withdrawal.

Kabugi also recounts his capture by Ukrainian forces. He says he expected severe treatment but instead received basic care, including food and clothing. He says that he and others were not harmed after surrendering.

International humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions, requires that captured combatants be treated humanely. Military observers note that compliance with these rules depends on discipline and training, particularly in unstable combat situations. Kabugi’s account reflects an instance where such standards were followed.

His case has circulated widely in Kenya, where authorities have acknowledged that several citizens have become involved in the conflict under unclear circumstances. This has raised concerns about informal or deceptive recruitment practices targeting individuals seeking work abroad.

Kabugi is currently being held in Kyiv as a prisoner of war. He has urged others to verify overseas job offers carefully.