Kenyan Family in Distress as Relative Recruited Into African Wagner Group Goes Missing in Russia

A Kenyan family is in a state of anguish and desperately seeking answers after their relative, Oscar Khagola Mutoka, disappeared following his recruitment into a military unit known as the "African Wagner Group" in Russia. All communication with him ceased after his arrival, leaving his family in a void of fear and uncertainty about his safety and whereabouts. According to family records, Mr. Mutoka, a Kenyan citizen holding passport number AK0054866, left Kenya on June 25, 2025, bound for Rostov-on-Don. His travel was arranged by a man named Festus Omwambia, who was associated with the "Global Face Human Resource Agency," then located on Koinange Street's Chai House. Omwambia is said to have promised Mutoka well-paid employment within the Russian military, for which Mutoka paid a facilitation fee of approximately 10,000 Kenyan shillings. The last time his family heard from him was at 12:48 PM on his departure day. Since that final contact, his phone has gone silent. The family's attempts to locate him have been fruitless, and they have no verified information on which military unit he was assigned to. The mention of his affiliation with the "African Wagner Group" has only intensified their fears, given the group's notorious reputation and the dangerous operational context. This distressing situation has spurred the family to issue an urgent appeal to the Kenyan government and international humanitarian organizations. They are calling for immediate intervention to locate Mutoka, verify his status, and ensure his safe return to Kenya. The case highlights the perils faced by citizens recruited into foreign conflicts through private intermediaries, often with little transparency or accountability. The family's ordeal has also raised pressing questions about the oversight of such recruitment practices and the mechanisms available to protect Kenyans who become involved in high-risk military engagements abroad. They continue to hope for his safe return while urging authorities to establish stronger safeguards to prevent other families from enduring similar torment.