When Vincent Awiti returned to Kenya after surviving the Russia–Ukraine war, he carried more than just physical injuries — he carried the weight of a journey that began with hope and ended in trauma.
Awiti left Kenya in May 2024, believing he had secured a legitimate job opportunity that would help him escape unemployment and build a better life abroad.
Like many young people seeking opportunities overseas, he trusted the promise of work and stability. But upon arrival in Russia, he says, the reality shifted sharply. Instead of the job he expected, he was drawn into military training and later found himself on the frontline of the Russia–Ukraine conflict.
What began as a search for a livelihood turned into a fight for survival. He sustained serious injuries during the war, an experience that left lasting physical and emotional scars. Upon returning home, he had hoped the danger was behind him — but the journey to recovery is only just beginning.
“When I left Kenya, I thought I was going to work as a shopkeeper. When I landed in Russia, I realised I had been taken somewhere I did not understand. By the time I reached the frontline, I was no longer a jobseeker, I was a soldier without choice, training, and a way back. I did not go to war. I was sent into it,” said Awiti.
Vincent Awiti, a Kenyan who survived the Russia–Ukraine war.
Photo credit: Pool
But life after the battlefield has turned into a quieter, slower struggle, one defined not by explosions and gunfire, but by a damaged hand, rising medical costs, and the psychological weight of what he lived through.
“I came back injured. I was hit by a missile. That is how I got this injury on my right hand. I still need surgery. I have no money. I tried to look for work but I carry this injury and this pain with me every day. I survived the war, but the war did not leave me.”
Awiti is among several Kenyans who were caught up in the Russia–Ukraine conflict. According to government data, some 47 Kenyans have since been rescued from Russia but the actual number of those recruited remains unknown.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi recently told Parliament that about 252 Kenyans have been recruited into Russia’s military operations, with 47 already rescued and repatriated. However, he warned, the actual number could be higher as verification is still ongoing.
Ukrainian serviceman from mobile air defence unit fires a machine gun towards a Russian drone in Kharkiv region.
Photo credit: Sofiia Gatilova | Reuters
As for Awiti, he is adjusting to life in Kenya with a damaged hand. Three of his fingers are permanently stiff and cannot bend.
After returning home, doctors performed an initial surgery to remove metal fragments lodged in his hand following the missile strike. The procedure cost approximately Sh154,000.
While the operation removed the foreign objects, it did not restore function.
“Doctors have now recommended a second surgery estimated at Sh128,000. Medical advice indicates that the procedure should be done before August to improve the chances of restoring movement and preventing further deterioration of my hand,” said Awiti.
However. he says, he has no means to raise the money.
Doctors have warned that delaying the procedure could worsen the condition, making his fingers more rigid and potentially requiring more complex treatment in future. Awiti says he tried mobilising support through a WhatsApp group and by reaching out to friends, but the attempts did not yield results.
“I even created a WhatsApp fundraising group hoping friends and well-wishers would help me raise the Sh128,000 needed for the operation. Unfortunately, no one contributed, and the group became inactive,” he said.
With no stable income, he now depends on occasional informal work and support from a friend who has offered him accommodation.
“Even something as simple as greeting someone has become difficult. I hesitate to shake hands because my right hand looks different, and people often ask what happened,” said Awiti.
