Kenyan Promised Driving Job in Qatar Is Reported Dead in Russia’s Army, Family Cannot Find His Body

A family in Nyamondo village, South Mugirango, Kisii County, in Kenya, is devastated after being told that their son Matiabe Onchari, 38, was killed fighting in Russia's army, Citizen TV reported. He is a father of four. His family says he left home for a driving job in Qatar, that they were told in February that he had died, and that they still do not know how he died or where his body is.

On a Saturday morning, Citizen TV reported, relatives, friends and villagers came to the homestead of Mzee David Minyonga, Onchari's father, to support the family.

A Driving Job in Qatar, Then Photos in Uniform

According to Citizen TV, Onchari left the village with a friend after hearing about a driving job in Qatar. He had earned his living as a boda boda rider at home. Days after arriving in Russia, the report says, he began sending his family photographs of himself and other men in military uniform, apparently working as a front-line soldier. Then communication stopped.

Aasai TV Kenya reported that, according to Onchari's wife, Beatrice Nyanchama, the family was told after he reached Jomo Kenyatta International Airport that the destination had changed and that he was going to Russia, not Qatar.

Told He Died in February, With No Body

The family says someone informed them that Onchari was killed in February. According to Citizen TV, how he died and where his body is are not known. Aasai TV Kenya reported that the person who gave the family the news, who had travelled with him, could not say where his body was.

His parents have not given up hope. Aasai TV Kenya reported that his mother, Rosia Bosori, still hopes he is alive somewhere in Russia.

The Family Wants Answers and a Burial

The family hopes the government will trace Onchari's remains and bring them home for a decent burial in line with Abagusii traditions, Citizen TV reported. With more questions than answers, they are asking Kenya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to tell them what happened before he disappeared. Aasai TV Kenya adds that the family has also appealed to President William Ruto and Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi, and wants to know whether Onchari was officially enlisted, which unit he served in and where he was deployed.

Earlier we reported about Kenyan families carrying out wake ceremonies without bodies - family of Anthony Kamau Gitau, Victor Mbugua Kinuthia and family of Oscar Mutoka Khagola.

A Safe Way Out

Kenyans and other foreign nationals lured into Russia's armed forces have an option to safely escape the battlefield with Ukraine's "I Want to Live" project. See our FAQ for recommendations for victims of Russian military recruitment and their families.