The family claims they only learned of his death after images of his body circulated widely on social media.
Mogesa had left Kenya in search of work abroad, hoping to lift his family out of poverty. He reportedly sold a family plot of land to fund his travel to Qatar, where he intended to secure employment, before eventually travelling to Russia.
“He wanted to change our lives,” his brother, Joel Mogere, said on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
“He wanted to change our lives,” his brother, Joel Mogere, said on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
“He went to Qatar first, then later we heard he had gone to Russia. We never imagined this would happen.”
Relatives said Mogesa signed a military contract in Russia and was deployed to the front lines in eastern Ukraine after only minimal training.
Ukrainian authorities recovered his body in the Donetsk region following a high-casualty assault, sometimes referred to as a “meat assault,” but Russian authorities have not provided the family with any official communication or compensation.“He was the one who supported us,” Joel Mogere said.
“He was the breadwinner and the hope of this family. His death has devastated us.”
Mogesa’s mother, Mellen Moraa, also expressed heartbreak, saying she relied on her son for daily medical care due to her diabetes.
“He took me to the hospital, bought my medicine, and helped me with everything. He was my only support. Now I don’t know what to do,” she said.
The family has called on the government and President William Ruto to help recover Mogesa’s remains and facilitate his burial in Kisii according to local customs.
Vincent Ombati, speaking on behalf of the family, said:
“We do not know how to access his body. According to our culture, he must be brought back home. We are appealing to the government to intervene so the young man can come home and be buried properly.”
Ukrainian intelligence officials reported that alongside Mogesa’s body, passports of two other Kenyans were recovered.
Ukrainian intelligence officials reported that alongside Mogesa’s body, passports of two other Kenyans were recovered.
Authorities believe these may belong to fellow recruits who are either still fighting or may have suffered similar fates.
Ukraine has repeatedly warned foreigners about recruitment schemes linked to Russia, which often promise lucrative work but instead involve forced military deployment with little chance of survival.
The case highlights a broader strategy by Russia to recruit foreign fighters, particularly from Africa, Central Asia, India, China, and the Middle East.
The case highlights a broader strategy by Russia to recruit foreign fighters, particularly from Africa, Central Asia, India, China, and the Middle East.
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andriy Sybiha, said,
“Russia is enticing Africans to sign contracts that are equivalent to a death sentence. The Russian command understands there will be no accountability for killed foreigners, so they are treated as expendable human material.”
Kenya has confirmed that over 200 of its citizens are currently involved in the conflict, some of whom are former members of the country’s disciplined services.
Kenya has confirmed that over 200 of its citizens are currently involved in the conflict, some of whom are former members of the country’s disciplined services.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi noted that recruitment networks remain active, misleading young Kenyans with false promises of high-paying jobs, visas, and safe work abroad.
A raid in Athi River in September 2025 uncovered 21 Kenyans awaiting deployment under such schemes.
The Kenyan government has urged citizens to avoid illegal work in Russia, advising them to use vetted recruitment agencies and the National Employment Agency (NEA) for overseas employment.
The Kenyan government has urged citizens to avoid illegal work in Russia, advising them to use vetted recruitment agencies and the National Employment Agency (NEA) for overseas employment.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has rescued 18 Kenyans from Russia, issuing them emergency travel documents for safe return.