For the family of a Timboroa Location chief in Baringo County, the past four months have been an ordeal after their son, Mr Kevin Njehia, 25, went missing in Ukraine while serving in the Russian military.
Kevin, who travelled to Russia as a student in 2025, last communicated with his father via WhatsApp in October, warning that he was in a ‘hot zone’ and asking for prayers.
The second-born son of Chief Jacob Njehia left Kenya on September 8, 2025, to pursue a scholarship in Russia and serve a one-year stint in the Russian military. The programme required him to serve in the military for one year before resuming his studies.
Since October 28, 2025, when he sent his last message from a frontline in Ukraine, Kevin has gone silent, leaving his family desperate for news and fearing the worst.
Two days earlier, Kevin had warned his father not to inform his mother about the situation, explaining: “Don’t share na’ (with) mum, but I am in a hot zone at the moment, imebidi tu stop (we have been forced to stop). Drone attacks are too much.”
“Tulipita warzone (we passed the warzone), but heading towards the fight, sasa (now), it will be a long time before we talk. Keep me in prayers,” Kevin wrote to his father at 1:51pm on October 28.
Kevin’s journey to Russia began in 2023, when a high school friend who had already travelled there linked him to a scholarship opportunity. Kevin had initially applied for the Russian scholarship online, but lacked a passport, a requirement for processing, which delayed the process.
The second-born of five children from Timboroa, Eldama Ravine Sub-County, who holds a diploma in civil engineering, was informed he had passed all requirements except Russian language proficiency. Believing he had been exempted, he initially gave up and moved to Nairobi to work and consider his next steps.
In August 2024, however, Kevin called his father with surprising news that his 2023 application had been successful, and he was required to travel within two weeks.
Within that period, his travel arrangements were finalised, including visa approval, embassy medical checks, and a flight ticket for September 8, 2025. A liaison officer, described as a female agent, assisted in processing his travel and academic documents, including his passport.
Kevin Kango Njehia (centre) who joined the Russian military and his colleagues.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
“Days later, I was astonished to see my son had sent me his travel visa through my phone. I wondered how things were moving so fast. We were not asked to give any money to process his travel,” said Mr Njehia.
Multiple medical examinations
Kevin was given three possible travel dates between Friday and Sunday, and he chose a day convenient to him. He underwent multiple medical examinations at the Russian embassy before boarding his flight to Moscow on September 8, 2025, at 11am.
Because things moved so fast, his family did not manage to see him off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
“We communicated via phone and held prayers through a video call before he boarded,” says the Timboroa chief.
The following day, he communicated that he had arrived safely, cleared the airport, and had been taken to a hotel, said Mr Njehia.
After arriving in Russia, Kevin stayed in touch and communicated regularly with his family after obtaining a Russian mobile number.
“He constantly communicated with us and informed us that he had been assigned a Russian mobile number to maintain contact,” said Mr Njehia.
The family’s relief, however, was short-lived.
After six days, he said he had been taken to a training camp in preparation for military deployment.
On October 25, 2025, he informed his father that he had been deployed to the frontline in Ukraine with the 13th Brigade Tank Battalion, which included six Kenyans. He warned that communication would be limited due to ongoing drone attacks.
“On the same day of deployment, we communicated through WhatsApp. The following day, I tried to reach him to no avail. On October 27, I wrote him a message, and he replied through text that he was faring well, but they were battling drone attacks. He even told us that owing to the situation, it will take some time before we talk, and requested us to pray for him. That was the last communication we had,” explained the distraught chief.
In November 2025, Kevin’s father learned through the WhatsApp forum created by the six Kenyans and their parents that one of his colleagues had been killed in a battlefield attack, while others had survived, raising fears about his son’s fate.
“I started to worry because my son could not be reached on the phone. I inquired with the person who sent the message, but he said he could not confirm the latest developments as he was nursing injuries in the hospital,” Mr Njehia said.
In December 2025, the family received a message from someone claiming to be Kevin’s friend in Russia, stating that Kevin had been injured and requested Kenyan government assistance for evacuation. Attempts to contact this friend subsequently failed, leaving the family on the edge.
“The message disturbed us as a family. We did not know what needed to be done. I tried calling Kevin’s number, but it did not go through. I wrote to the Russian friend, but no response came,” said the chief.
Following the developments, Mr Njehia reported his son missing to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, providing all details via email, and has been following up in person. On a visit to the ministry, officials assured him that the case was being followed up on.
“I am eagerly waiting to know the whereabouts of my missing son, whether he is still alive or dead. If he lost his life, I also want to know how I will get his body,” he said.
Before leaving Kenya, Kevin’s father had tried to convince him to stay, even registering a building and construction company for him. Financial constraints, including a Sh500,000 loan he had borrowed to support Kevin’s sister studying nursing in the UK, did not deter Kevin.
“He told me that once he completes the one-year military training in Russia, he would decide whether to continue with the scholarship or come back home. He also wanted to help with family problems, which I allowed,” said Mr Njehia.
During training in Russia, Kevin sent Sh120,000 to his father to repay part of the money borrowed for his upkeep, expressing concerns that he had been paid Sh200,000 instead of the Sh300,000 agreed upon in his contract.
With half of his team unaccounted for, the family continues to hope for Kevin’s safe return. Out of the six Kenyans deployed, only three are confirmed to have returned.
“He was hired by the federal government of Russia. We hope that the Russian government will compensate us if our son died in the battlefield. The worst part is if his body cannot be recovered.
“I harbour no bitter feelings against anyone, irrespective of any eventuality,” said Mr Njehia.
Kevin’s mother Ms Janet Jelagat Njehia, described her son as independent and determined. “I love my son so much. Due to unemployment, he had started secluding himself and could stay in his bedroom the whole day. I suggested selling vegetables, but it was not sustainable. He sought advice to travel to Russia, promising to build me a new house. He had good plans for his siblings and us,” she said.
The family remains in a state of anxiety, awaiting updates from both the Russian and Kenyan authorities.
“When he travelled abroad, I knew that God would make a way for him and he would come back successful. I am so pained that we cannot reach him, and his whereabouts have remained unknown since October last year. I am praying to God that he be found alive,” she added.
