- Five Kenyan families are counting down the days and repeating old messages after their loved ones disappeared in the Russian war
- Many left months ago, kept in touch for a few weeks, then fell silent, leaving loved ones wondering if their sons were alive or dead.
- TUKO.co.ke shares five cases of wives, mothers and their siblings whose lives have been put on hold since calls from the battlefield were stopped
Dozens of Kenyan families live in fear, clinging to faded messages and unanswered calls after loved ones disappeared while fighting for the Russian army.
Source: Facebook
Scattered across Kiambu, Nyeri, Homa Bay and beyond, the families share a common plight: silence from a distant battlefield and no official word on whether their sons are alive or dead.
TUKO.co.ke it shares the names and details of five Kenyan men who went to fight in the Russian invasion there Ukraine and disappeared without being known.
1. James Kamau
In Limuru, Kiambu County, the family of James Kamau has not received any information about him since July 17, 2025, weeks after he traveled to Russia on June 28, 2025.
His sister, Margaret Ndungu, says the sudden silence has left the family scared. James, the only sibling in the family, left behind a wife and mother who are now spending their days waiting for news that is not forthcoming.
“We just want to know where he is,” Margaret says, her plea reflecting the desperation of many families in similar situations.
2. Anthony Kamau Gitau
The same pain befalls the family of Anthony Kamau Gitau from Gatundu, Kiambu County.
He traveled to Russia in November 2025, and the last contact came a month later.
Since then, there is no news. Anthony’s relatives fear the worst news but refuse to give up hope, urging anyone with information to come forward.
His brother, Dickson Muiruri, has taken the step of making his phone number (+254721539832) public, hoping that a stranger may hold the key to Anthony’s fate.
Source: Facebook
3. Peter Muchiri Nyagaki
In Othaya, Nyeri County, Peter Muchiri Nyagaki’s house has become unbearably quiet.
Peter traveled to Russia on October 27, 2025 and spoke to his family for the last time on December 21 of that year.
His sister, Njeri Eunice, says the family has not found peace since then. Each day that passes without a word deepens their heartache, as they cling to memories and prayers in equal measure.
4. Dancun Otieno Juma
For Dancun Otieno Juma’s family, the silence seems particularly cruel.
A former sergeant with the Kenya Defense Forces based in Kahawa Garrison, Dancun hails from Oyugis in Homa Bay County.
His military history once reassured his family, but that comfort has long since faded. They last heard from him in August last year, and months of missed calls have added to their worries.
“Even one message would mean everything,” the relative says.
Source: Facebook
5. David Kibet
Then there is David Kibet who is said to have traveled to Russia to join military operations in Ukraine, but whose last trace is only available online.
His family’s last confirmation of his whereabouts came from a post by TikTok on December 27 last year, where he shared pictures of himself in military uniform Before joining the Russian forces, David was reported to have worked in the Gulf countries, looking for opportunities away from home.
Since that post, there have been no confirmed updates on his safety, status or location, which has left his family scrambling for clues on social media and hoping that someone, somewhere, can recognize his face.
Together, these stories paint a disturbing picture of Kenyan men drawn into distant wars, and families left behind with little information and no clear lines of support.
As the conflict continues, the family’s appeals become more urgent, not for politics or blame, but for the most basic of human needs: certainty.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
