A family from Timboroa is asking the Kenyan government for help to return the body of their 25-year-old son, Kevin Kang’u, who is reported to have died while fighting in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Kevin travelled to Russia in September last year after receiving information that he had secured a scholarship. His family believed he was going abroad to study and build a better future.
They say the opportunity gave them hope, as Kevin was eager to improve his life through education.
According to his father, Jacob Njihia, Kevin was told that his application had been successful and that he needed to travel within two weeks to complete the process.
After arriving in Russia, Kevin informed his family that he was required to undergo military training before starting his studies.
Though this raised concern, the family remained hopeful that it was part of a formal arrangement linked to his stay. For nearly two months, they stayed in touch and received photos from him, which reassured them that he was safe.
The regular communication helped ease their worries, even though they did not fully understand the situation he was in.
On October 28, all communication suddenly stopped. Kevin no longer answered calls or messages, leaving his family distressed and confused.
They made several attempts to reach him, but none were successful. Weeks passed with no word, and the silence caused deep fear within the family as they struggled to find answers.
Two months later, the family received heartbreaking news that Kevin had died in December while reportedly fighting on the frontline. They were also informed that retrieving his body from the active combat area would be very difficult.
This news left the family devastated, as they were unable to confirm details or make arrangements to bring him home.
Kevin’s mother, Janet Jelagat, has made an emotional appeal to the government of Kenya to intervene and help repatriate her son’s remains.
She said the family only wants to give Kevin a proper burial and find peace after months of pain and uncertainty.
The incident comes amid reports claiming that many Kenyans may have been recruited into the Russian military after being promised jobs or opportunities abroad.
However, the Embassy of Russia in Kenya has denied any role in recruiting Kenyans, stating that its staff did not issue visas for military purposes and that any foreign national who joins does so voluntarily under Russian law.
