Kirinyaga Family Seeks Answers After Son Allegedly Dies in Russia–Ukraine War

A family in Kirinyaga County believes their 23-year-old son, Eric Mwangi Nyambura, died after being taken to the Russia–Ukraine war under the promise of overseas employment.

Eric, from Githaiti village in Ndia Constituency, left Kenya in October 2025 after being offered what was described as a well-paying job abroad. His relatives said they paid about KSh10,000 to process his passport, and he travelled within days. The opportunity initially appeared legitimate, but later developments raised serious concerns.

According to his sister, Pauline Wanjiku Nyambura, Eric stayed in contact after arriving in Russia. The family later discovered that he had undergone military training and was sent to a combat zone. 

On Christmas Eve, he sent a message indicating that he had met other Kenyans on the front line and feared for his safety. Communication stopped in early January. Reports from online sources linked to Ukraine later suggested that he had been killed.

His mother, Joyce Nyambura Mundia, said the family did not expect that the job offer would result in his deployment to a war zone. The family is seeking official confirmation of his death and has appealed to government authorities, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, for help in returning his body to Kenya. 

They have also raised concerns about a woman identified as “Siz Maria”, whom they accuse of arranging his travel. According to relatives, she only requested a passport before cutting off communication after his departure.