Grief as Limuru Family Holds Mock Burial for Son Killed in Russia–Ukraine War
Relatives in Mboroti village, Limuru, Kiambu County, are mourning James Kamau Ndung’u, a young Kenyan father who died in Ukraine after travelling to Russia in search of work.
Kamau left Kenya in mid-2025 hoping to secure employment that would support his wife and infant daughter. According to his family, recruiters promised he would work as a cook or truck driver in Russia and earn about Sh215,000 a month, a figure far higher than what he could expect at home.
His mother, Hannah Kamau, said the offer appeared to provide a rare opportunity during a period of economic difficulty. She recalled that the recruitment process moved quickly. Within a few days, Kamau had completed medical checks and paperwork required for travel.
When he arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before departure, he was instructed to leave most of his personal belongings behind. Recruiters told him that uniforms and other equipment would be issued once he reached Russia.
After arriving, Kamau told his family that he had been taken to a forested area for training. He said the training was connected to driving work. However, photographs he later sent home showed him holding a weapon, indicating that he had entered military training instead.
His wife, Jane Karinge Wanjiku, spoke during a candlelit vigil at their home in Limuru. She said Kamau had travelled abroad to provide for their daughter but never returned. The couple had known each other since secondary school, and he had hoped his work abroad would improve their family’s future.
The family says many questions remain unanswered. They have asked how Kamau’s identity was confirmed among African recruits reportedly deployed to the battlefield. They are also calling on the Kenyan government to help return his remains and investigate the recruiters who arranged his travel.
