BARINGO, Kenya — A family in Timboroa, Baringo County, is appealing for assistance to bring home the body of their son, 25-year-old Kevin Kang’u, who reportedly died while fighting on the frontlines in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Kevin traveled to Russia in September 2025 under a student visa, having reportedly secured a scholarship to pursue studies in the country.
However, the family says he was required to undergo military training before starting his classes.
“Mail ilikuja inasema ako successful kama bado ako interested, akajibu akasema ako interested…akaambiwa aende after two weeks,” said Jacob Njihia, Kevin’s father, describing how his son was initially accepted and advised to travel two weeks later.
For approximately two months, photographs sent from Russia provided some reassurance, but communication abruptly stopped on October 28.
The family later received devastating news that Kevin had died in December 2025 while engaged in combat.
“Nikapata courage nikamuuliza sasa kama imeenda hivyo mwili nitapata namna gani ama ikienda hivo mwili nitapata namna gani, kijana akaniambia frontline ni kubaya na kupata mwili ni ngumu huko ni marisasi usiku na mchana hivyo ata recovery team kuingia huko kupata mwili ni ngumu,” Njihia added, highlighting the challenges of retrieving bodies from the conflict zone.
Kevin’s mother, Janet Jelagat, made an emotional appeal to the Kenyan government:
“Ombi langu kwa serikali na ninaamini sana ni watusaidie mahali wanaweza maana tumefika mwisho na naamini watatusikia na watatushika mkono.”
The family is now holding onto hope for closure, hoping that Kevin can at least receive a proper burial in Kenya.
The revelation comes a day after the Russian Embassy in Nairobi denied claims that its staff were involved in recruiting Kenyans to fight in the conflict.
In a statement released on Thursday, February 19, the embassy described the allegations as a “dangerous and misleading propaganda campaign,” insisting that its staff had never issued visas to Kenyans with the sole purpose of joining the Russian Armed Forces.
Also Read: Russia denies claims of recruiting Kenyans for Ukraine war
However, the embassy clarified that Russian law allows foreign nationals already in the country to voluntarily enlist in the military, provided they are legally present and choose to join the conflict.
“It must be understood that the legislation of the Russian Federation does not preclude citizens of foreign countries from voluntarily enlisting in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, if they stay in Russia on a legal basis and choose to take part in the battle against the NATO-backed Ukrainian Nazism shoulder to shoulder with Russian servicemen,” the statement read in part.
This case comes amid wider intelligence reports suggesting that over 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited into the Russian military, often under the pretext of lucrative jobs or scholarships, raising concerns about human trafficking and the exploitation of young people.
