A Kenyan, 29, who is a Russian mercenary, was found killed in the war in Ukraine

Kenyan Clinton Nyapara Mogesa was killed in Donetsk after joining Russian forces as a foreign mercenary, according to Ukrainian military intelligence
His body was found with extra Kenyan passports, raising concerns about wider recruitment schemes targeting Africans
Ukraine has warned foreigners against joining Russia’s military, saying they are treated as expendable and sent on deadly attacks without much training.

One Kenyan is reported to have been killed in the east Ukraine where Kyiv’s forces faced Russian foreign mercenaries.

Clinto Mogesa was killed while fighting for the Russian army. Photo: DIU.
Source: UGC

Twenty-nine-year-old Clinton Nyapara Mogesa was found dead in Donetsk.

In one of the positions of the Russian invasion forces, Ukrainian military intelligence identified his body.

According to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, the Kenyan citizen was 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 invasion units of the invaders.

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“After a short training period, Mogesa was killed during a so-called “meat attack” in the Donetsk region,” the unit said in an official statement.

Russian forces did not transfer the body of the foreign mercenary who died while his family did not receive compensation or any explanation from the Russian side.

In addition, the mercenary was found in possession of the passports of two other Kenyan nationals, presumably persons employed under similar conditions and who may be deployed for future raid operations.

Ukrainian authorities noted that Mogesa made a mistake by choosing to join the Russian army.

“Clinton Mogesa could have continued to live and work safely in prosperous Qatar. Instead, he became another proof that, for the Russian military, foreign nationals are treated as disposable resources, sent to their deaths,” it said.

Ukraine warned foreigners against taking risks with the Russian army with the promise of a good reward.

The unit noted that the mercenaries are risking their lives by accepting the offers and being sent to the battlefield without the proper knowledge and skills of combat.

“The Defense Intelligence Service of Ukraine warns foreign nationals against traveling to the Russian Federation or accepting any form of employment in its territory, especially illegal work. Traveling to Russia carries a real risk of being deployed to attack units without adequate training and without much room to live,” it said.

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Since the war between Russia and Ukraine began in 2022, reports indicate that Africans, including more than 200 Kenyans, have been drafted into the Russian army.

The Kenyan government says this recruitment is facilitated by networks operating in Russia, with the Embassy in Moscow confirming cases of injuries and citizens stranded after failed recruitment attempts.

Officials have revealed that they have received many distress calls from Kenyans in Russian military bases, prompting the Mission in Moscow to issue a public advisory and urge citizens in Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan to register for consular monitoring and assistance.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Stay Mudavadi he said that Kenya is in contact with the Russian authorities to transfer the affected citizens to the Embassy for repatriation, while also working on a Bilateral Labor Agreement to protect Kenyans from fraudulent job offers that lead them to conflict zones.

He added that negotiations with Ukraine are ongoing to ensure the release of Kenyans allegedly held as prisoners of war.

The ministry further warned young Kenyans looking for work abroad to verify opportunities with relevant government offices to avoid exploitation and employment in dangerous areas.