Duncan Chege, a 30-year-old father from Kiambu County, says he was misled with promises of a truck-driving job in Russia — only to find himself conscripted to fight on the frontlines of the war in Ukraine.
Chege was injured by a landmine blast that tore through his boots and left his feet bloodied. Before that, he had sent his wife videos and photos from the battlefield as proof of what he described as the deception that brought him there.
His mother told TRT Afrika she sold the family’s only cow — their main source of income — to pay for his plane ticket to Moscow. The promised salary of $2,500 per month never materialised. Instead, upon arrival in Moscow in October last year, Chege says he was taken to a military barracks, given weapons training, and later transferred to a base inside Ukraine.
He initially believed he was being trained to drive military supply trucks but later learned he and other recruits were being prepared for combat.
Growing African Presence in the Conflict
Ukrainian authorities estimate that more than 1,400 nationals from 36 African countries have been recruited to fight for Russia. Kenya’s intelligence agency recently told parliament that over 1,000 Kenyans alone may currently be fighting in Ukraine.
Chege claims he witnessed numerous African fighters on the battlefield and saw many casualties.
Growing African Presence in the Conflict
Ukrainian authorities estimate that more than 1,400 nationals from 36 African countries have been recruited to fight for Russia. Kenya’s intelligence agency recently told parliament that over 1,000 Kenyans alone may currently be fighting in Ukraine.
Chege claims he witnessed numerous African fighters on the battlefield and saw many casualties.
Governments across Africa have cautioned citizens against joining the war. Kenya’s Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi recently announced plans to travel to Moscow to seek solutions to the issue. Meanwhile, Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa visited Kyiv to request the release of Ghanaian nationals captured while fighting for Russia, appealing to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Escape and Return
Chege says he eventually staged a mental breakdown and, with the help of staged accident photos sent by his wife, managed to secure permission to leave his unit. He sought refuge at the Kenyan embassy and later returned home.
His mother says the family is relieved he survived — but remains burdened by debt from the failed promise of employment abroad.
SOURCE : TRT AFRICA
