- Richard Ouma travelled to Russia in search of greener pastures, but upon arriving in the war-torn country, things quickly turned sour
- Ouma, initially told his family he had arrived safe and sound but, the situation worsened after he was reportedly deployed to the frontline of the Russia–Ukraine war
- His family back home in Homa Bay county shared details of their last communication with him as they appealed to the government for help
A cloud of uncertainty hangs over a family in Kodumo village, Homa Bay County, following disturbing news about their kin.
Source: Youtube
Teresia Otieno Onyango is worried about the whereabouts and wellbeing of her son, Richard Ouma, whom she has not heard from for months.
The distressed mother said her son travelled to Russia seven months ago, and since then, she has not received any communication from him.
“He told us he was smuggled. He said that he and others were taken as tourists. At the airport, they slept there for two days as they waited to be transported. He said they had arrived safe and sound, but the situation was not looking good,” said Violet Akinyi, Ouma’s cousin.
Read also
Man heartbroken after wife of 11 years moves to US, marries another man: “Trusted her too much”
Why did Ouma travel to Russia?
Ouma had travelled abroad in search of better opportunities, but things took a troubling turn when he was reportedly sent to the warfront.
He had previously worked in the military in Nanyuki before moving to Russia, where conditions appeared to worsen, according to his family.
The family shared the last Facebook messages exchanged with him, expressing deep concern about his wellbeing.
Their communication dates back to August 2025 and was infrequent, often limited to a message a day.
When was the last time Ouma communicated with his family?
Contact ceased completely after Ouma was allegedly deployed to the frontline in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
“Right now, we do not know if he is alive or dead. As a family, we are very worried. We do not know what is happening or where he is. We do not know if he is in a hospital or elsewhere,” said Beryl Awuor, Ouma’s sister-in-law.
Read also
Godwin Baguma: Man buried 2 days ago ‘returns’ home alive, leaves village in shock
Ouma’s mother also expressed her anguish, noting that all attempts to reach him have been unsuccessful.
“When we call his phone, we cannot reach him. We have even tried contacting him on WhatsApp, but it has been in vain. I am in so much pain. I am asking the government to help me bring back my son, if possible, so I can see him with my own eyes, because I do not know whether he is alive or dead,” Teresia said.
Source: Youtube
Eldoret mum worried after son goes missing in Russia
In a similar story, a mother from Eldoret Town in Uasin Gishu county expressed similar fears after her son was reportedly recruited to fight for Russia.
When Keith Kiplagat travelled to Russia in October 2025, he regularly updated his mother about his whereabouts via WhatsApp.
However, communication between them lasted barely a month. Since then, his mother, Josephine Chepngetich, has not heard from her 24-year-old son.
Chepngetich told NgGossips that a man who had facilitated her son’s travel to Russia has since returned to Kenya and cut off all communication with her.
Read also
Nakuru mum breaks down after daughter is allegedly stabbed to death by KDF hubby: “Niko na uchungu”
Source: NgGossips
🚨 BREAKING: Watch the full clip here ➤
