Ex-KDF soldier recruited to join Russian military goes missing

A few days after reports emerged of human trafficking syndicates luring Kenyans with promises of jobs in Russia, a family in Busia County has raised the alarm over their missing kin.

The family says their son, a former Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldier, left home in May this year for St. Petersburg, Russia, after allegedly being recruited by individuals believed to have ties to the Russian military.

It has been five agonising months of fear and uncertainty for the family of Oscar Agola Ojiambo, who says they have not received any communication from him, heightening fears over his whereabouts and safety.

According to the family, Oscar had expressed a strong desire to travel to Russia and join the military there after being approached by a local agent who presented him with an opportunity.

"Mara yake ya mwisho kuwa hapa ni tarehe 14 mwezi wa tano. Akanijulisha kwamba amepata kazi kule Russia na kwamba anapanga kwenda," Charles Mutoka, Oscar’s father said.

Oscar's sister Mary Olendo, added, "The last call he made was that he was waiting on the frontline."

Their fears have intensified amid growing reports of Kenyans disappearing after similar recruitment and claims that some have ended up on the frontlines of the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war.

"Alikuwa ananijulisha kwamba amefika Russia vizuri, akanitumia hadi picha akiwa na wenzake… hofu yetu ni kwamba hadi yule agent ambaye alimuunganisha hatupi information kama yuko hai ama hayuko," Mutoka noted.

Just last week, another Kenyan, Kevin Kariuki, was rescued from the warfront. In a statement, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr Korir Sing’oei confirmed that Kariuki had been captured by Ukrainian forces before being freed.

Oscar’s family now fears their son may have suffered a similar fate.

"I just hope my brother is okay... if they can be able to get the agent, we need closure. We want to know if he is alive," Oscar's sister Olendo stated.

These developments come as Edward Kamau, the prime suspect in a human trafficking case involving allegations of recruiting Kenyans to fight for the Russian military, was released on a cash bail of Ksh.500,000. Prosecutors failed to convince the court of the need to continue detaining him.

"We told the country that this is a willing person looking for a job and a person who recruits people. Our client is innocent and in fact, a hero for creating jobs for Kenyans," Danstan Omari stated.

Kamau is accused of harbouring 22 Kenyans at Great Wall Gardens in Athi River on the 24th of last month, allegedly as part of a broader trafficking network.