Kenyans recruited by Russia detail horror, appeal to Gov't for repatriation

Families of Kenyan men fighting for Russia in the war against Ukraine are appealing to the government to repatriate them after some of their sons claimed they were dying and suffering in the war zone.

The family of John Njeru Kariuki, one of the men, is pleading for government assistance to bring their son home after he was shot in the head in Ukraine.

This week, Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said 200 Kenyans are fighting for Russia.

Citizen TV has been engaging with the families and casts new light on the issue of Kenyans in Russia's military during the Ukraine war.

The internet is awash with images of Kenyans who ended up in Russia for the Ukraine war, many lured with promises of salaries as high as Ksh.2 million. As Russian casualties continue to mount, so do Kenyan casualties. One example is John Njeru from Nakuru, who is nursing wounds in hospital. He wants to return home.

"Sasa niliumia hata leo nimekaaa siku kama tano hivi. Unajua huku hakuna network, niliumia kwa kichaka na uchungu iliishia kwa kichaka sahi niko hospitalised," said Njeru.

Njeru’s father says he does not know how his son got to Russia.

"They're taking the boys and then they train them there for like 2 months. After training they are taken out to the battleground in Ukraine and the way I'm getting it is like a forest, and sometimes they walk through a river full of bodies and such stories," said Peter Kairuki, Njeru's father.

Njeru is hospitalized in the Belgorod region of Russia. Despite having no prior military experience, he was sent to the battlefield by the Russian Army after just two weeks of military instruction.

"You cannot see the hand but amefungwa funny bandage and he's saying that they're not fighting with the Ukrainian Army, it is about drones and there are in the forest and they're being targeted," said Kairuki.

Citizen TV traced another man, David Kuloba, to Kibera, where he resided before moving to Russia. Kuloba’s mother narrates how her son left for Russia.

"Akakuja akasema ‘mum unaona vile Mungu ananiskianga nimepata kazi’… akaniambia kazi ya watchman. Nikamuuliza country gani? Akanionyesha simu akasema Russia. Nikamwambia hiyo country haikuangi poa. Mnaenda kufanya security gani? Hiyo country haikuangi poa. Akasema ni kazi na ameambiwa akifika huko anapewa mita (1 million)," Susan Kuloba said.

Upon reaching Russia, Kuloba was conscripted into the Russian Army.

"Usiku tunaongea, kidogo akaacha kuongea na mwisho kuongea naye ni tarehe 3-4," Susan said.

Citizen TV has obtained video clips showing David undergoing military training in Russia. He was in the second week of training prior to his reported death.

"Akakuja tena akakuwa online akaniambia mum niombee. Mahali tunaenda si mahali pazuri. Si wote huenda wanarudi. Nikamuambia si ukatae kwenda. Akaniambia huwezi kataa. Ukikataa watakuua. Kama siku zangu zimefika lakini niombeee. Mpaka wa leo," Susan added.

Before David disappeared, he sent a voice note to his family, updating them on the situation as what appears to be his final testament.

The audio said: "Hizo documents nimekutumia ni zenye kesho naenda mission na in case of anything utapigiwa simu uambiwe if kama nimekufa ama niko uhai. So kama ntakuwa nimekufa utachukua hizo documents upeleke embassy ama immigration utaclaim mimi ni mtoto wako. Kila kitu utapeana hadi picha na kuna pay cheque utapatiwa yangu sasa mwenye atainherit ni mzazi wangu mwenye nilikuwa nimeandika kama next of kin. Nawapenda sana mkae poa."

The documents he refers to include this contract written in Russian language. It is a Russian military contract that strips the Kenyans off civilian status, converts them into soldiers, and obligates them to fight for the country.

Sections of it translated read: "To participate in large-scale operations, perform tasks in conditions of emergency or martial law, military prestige, armed conflicts, and also participate in activities to maintain or restore international peace and security and suppress international terrorist activity outside the territory of the Russian Federation."

In this military document, Kuloba is no longer David but is now designated as Daud Mohammed Kushoba, with military number 4061247.

David’s mother currently has no confirmation whether her son is deceased, but she received these messages indicating his death.

"I am sorry for David's death. He died after being blown up by a bomb. I was with him and I am in hospital nursing injuries. I don't know what to say. My heart hurts for losing my two friends."

Another message she received is from an individual claiming to be the agent who welcomed David in Russia, named Megger, stating in a social media chat with David's mother: "You have the right to compensation for your child's death. I don't know how much money, but it is estimated at $100,000 (approx. Ksh.12.9 million)."

Tito, not his real name for safety, managed to return to Kenya from Russia.

"Hata walikuwa wanakuambia vitu mzuri mzuri, vile utapata citizenship na familia yako. Nikaona nijaribu. Ukiona sasa vita pale ni ya drone sasa unatrainiwa kuhepa drone. Wengine wanapatikana wanalipuliwa. Sasa kitu inasaidia tu ni nametag ukikufa na service number," Tito said.

"The government should come in because we have an embassy in Russia to establish how they went there, the terms and how they can be assisted," Peter Kairuki  said.

"Watu wanalia sana. Kuna mmoja alisema akifunguliwa kuletwa akifika Kenya atafungua kanisa," Tito said.

The Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has conceded that Kenyans are fighting for Russia.

"Report suggest that over 200 Kenyans they have joined this adventure or misadventure with some of them being former members of Kenya's disciplined services," CS Mudavadi said.

Despite suspects being arrested in Kenya and arraigned, allegations persist that the trafficking pipeline remains operational with the main culprits still at large.