Kenyan man killed fighting for Russia month after he left for driver job

A Kenyan man has allegedly been killed while fighting for the Russian army in Ukraine, just a month after he left the country for a driving job.

In documents seen by The Star, the Kenyan identified as Martin Macharia Mburu was allegedly killed in an attack from the Ukrainian side alongside a Nigerian national on November 27, 2025. 

Their passports were recovered with their remains alongside Russian documents and air tickets, which indicated that Macharia left Kenya on October 21, 2025.

News of Mburu’s death came after Kirinyaga Central MP, Joseph Gitari requested a statement from the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations regarding Macharia’s forced recruitment into the Russian army alongside another Kenyan named Peter Kimemia Kamanu.

The legislator further requested for a report on the progress of investigations into their forced recruitment and the immediate action taken by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to engage the Russian Federation of their repatriation.

“The two are said to have undergone a three-day training before being deployed to the frontlines of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

“This incident raises grave concerns about the safety and welfare of Kenyans seeking legitimate opportunities abroad, as well as effectiveness of our diplomatic interventions,” Gitari said in the National Assembly.

Mburu and Kamanu did not have prior military experience, according to the legislator.

Mburu’s case becomes the first publicly known case of a Kenyan killed fighting for the Russian army.

Another Kenyan, Evans Kibet, surrendered to the Ukrainian side and is currently a prisoner of war in the country.

According to the air ticket, Mburu left the country about a month after a Russian national believed to have been behind the recruitment of Kenyans into fighting in Russia was deported from the country.

His arrest followed a discovery by a multi-agency security team of 21 Kenyans in Athi-River set to be trafficked into Russia, with the promise of lucrative salaries.

According to the embassy in Kenya, however, Mikhail Lyapin, reports around his deportation were misleading, insisting that the businessman was scheduled to depart the country on the said date.

This comes a few weeks after the Russian Embassy in Nairobi denied any forced or illegal recruitment of citizens from other nationalities into their military to fight against Russia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has over the last few weeks announced the repatriation of at least four Kenyans from Russia who had been sent to the frontlines. It says the repatriation exercise continues.

While such cases continue to be reported, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs insists it is still working on a labour agreement programme with the Russian Federation that will stop such cases of exploitation.

“The Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is keen on strengthening relations with the Russian Federation on Economic framework and other areas of mutual interest. Both governments are working closely on a Bilateral Labour Agreement that will ensure Kenyans have access to genuine job opportunities in Russia,” Mudavadi said on October 27.

He further warned Kenyans to be wary of unregistered agents promising them jobs abroad.

Meanwhile, Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it is investigating the deaths of two Jordanian citizens who were recruited to fight alongside the Russian army, warning of rising cases of illegal foreign recruitment targeting Jordanians.

In a statement on Thursday, the Ministry’s Directorate of Operations and Consular Affairs said it is “following up on the details related to the killing of two Jordanian citizens after their recruitment to fight with the Russian army.”

Ministry spokesperson Fuad Al-Majali said officials are monitoring operations of deception by external groups aiming to enlist Jordanians illegally, noting that such acts violate both domestic and international law and place citizens’ lives at risk.

Al-Majali urged the public to report any recruitment attempts linked to the Russian army, cautioning that engagement with such networks carries severe legal and security implications.

He added that Jordan has formally demanded that Russia halt the recruitment of Jordanian nationals and end the enlistment of any citizen already serving in its forces.

“The Ministry will take all available measures to stop this process,” he said.

The Ministry also warned of online networks involved in the illegal recruitment, saying it is coordinating with national agencies to pursue those responsible and enforce the law against them.