Ukraine's Defense Intelligence has confirmed the death of a Kenyan national fighting for Russian forces in eastern Ukraine. The individual was identified as Clinton Nyapara Mogesa, who had been recruited from Qatar. Russian forces did not evacuate his body, and his family has yet to receive official notification.
Clinton Nyapara Mogesa, a Kenyan national, was killed in the Donetsk region during an assault operation by Russian forces. His body was found at a position held by Russian troops following the deadly engagement. According to Ukraine's Defense Intelligence, Mogesa had been living and working in Qatar before signing a contract with the Russian army and being assigned to one of their 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," stated the Ukrainian intelligence report.
Mogesa received insufficient training and was deployed to the front lines of combat. After his death, Russian forces failed to evacuate his body, and his family has not received any official communication from Russian authorities. When his body was discovered, he was carrying passports belonging to two other Kenyan citizens, believed to be those of fellow recruits.
Ukraine's intelligence has warned foreign nationals against traveling to Russia or accepting employment there, especially illegal work. "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.
This incident follows weeks after the Kenyan government, via the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, announced that 18 Kenyans fighting in Russia had been rescued and repatriated. The government estimates that at least 200 Kenyans may have been recruited into the conflict, with networks operating in both Kenya and Russia.