Ukraine spy chief confirms death of Kenyan fighting for Russian army
By Aloys Michael, February 1, 2026A Kenyan national who had been recruited to serve in the Russian armed forces has reported to have died in combat in Eastern Ukraine.
The latest incident comes amid growing concerns over the involvement of foreign fighters in the ongoing conflict, even as the government vows to engage both fronts to release the Kenyan recruits.
In a statement on Saturday, January 31, 2026, Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence confirmed the death, identifying the deceased as Clinton Nyapara Mogesa, adding that the deceased previously lived and worked in Qatar before later signing a contract with the Russian army and was susequently assigned to one of Russia’s assault units.
“The Kenyan national had been living and working in Qatar before later signing a contract with the armed forces of the russian federation and being assigned to one of the occupiers’ assault units,” a statement from Ukrainian intelligence read.
According to a report by Ukraine’s intelligence, Mogesa’s body was discovered at one of the positions held by Russian forces in the Donetsk region after an assault operation which turned deadly.
Further, the spy authority claimed that despite not getting sufficient training, the Kenyan was sent into combat among the front-liners in battle.
After his death, Russian forces did not evacuate his body, and his family has yet to receive any official communication from Russian authorities regarding his death.
At the time his body was discovered, the Kenyan is said to have been carrying passports belonging to two other Kenyan citizens. Ukrainian forces reported that the documents belonged to his fellow recruits.
The Ukrainian intelligence warned foreign nationals against involving themselves in the ongoing war with Russia by accepting dubious employment opportunities.
“The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine warns foreign citizens against travelling to the Russian Federation or accepting any form of employment on its territory, particularly illegal work. Travelling to Russia carries a real risk of being forcibly deployed to assault units without adequate training and with little to no chance of survival,” the statement read.
Govt’s intervention
As part of their psycho-social support, the government has established a fully-fledged counselling unit under the State Department for Diaspora Affairs (SDDA) that offers psycho-social support to returnees, their families, and other Kenyans in distress.
Mudavadi has further stated that reports indicate more than 200 Kenyans may have been recruited to fight in the Russian-Ukrainian war.
In a statement posted on its X page on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the welfare of other Kenyans affected and yet to be reached by outreach efforts.
The ministry stated that the individuals were issued emergency travel documents and safely returned to Kenya.
“The government affirms that through these interventions, 18 Kenyan citizens have been successfully rescued, issued with Emergency Travel Documents, and safely repatriated to Kenya,” the statement read in part.
“It has been reported that more than 200 Kenyans may have been recruited into the conflict, with multiple distress calls from Kenyans received from the Russian Federation as confirmed by the Moscow Embassy,” the ministry stated.
“Since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, recruitment into the Russian military has reportedly expanded to include African nationals. Credible reports indicate that more than 200 Kenyans may have been recruited, with networks believed to remain active in both Kenya and the Russian Federation. The Kenyan Embassy in Moscow has confirmed cases of injuries among Kenyan nationals and others left stranded after attempted recruitment,” the statement added.
The 18 repatriated Kenyans, and others facing similar challenges, Mudavadi said, will undergo a reintegration program to support their full return to normal life.