Caption: The mome grave build in the compound of the late Oscar Khagola at Mukhunga village on Saturday/IMAGE /HILTON OTENYO 

Neighbours and relatives attending a mock burial ceremony for the late Oscar Khagola who died in the Russia-Ukrain war on August 14, 2025 /IMAGE /HILTON OTENYO

A sombre mood engulfed a village in Bunyala Sub-County, Busia County as family, relatives and friends gathered to perform mock burial for their son who reportedly died in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

The family and clan of the late Oscar Khagola, 40, a former Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer decided to stage his mock burial to appease his soul, accord him dignity and find closure after it became apparent that they could not see his remains.

The ceremony saw the family erect a tombstone bearing his name and photograph on a two-meter square land scape in his compound at Mukhunga village in Bunyala Sub-County to symbolise his presence in the family.

No coffin was purchased for the emotional ceremony, only a tombstone that bore Khagola’s name, date of birth, and date of death was erected in his honour.

The ceremony mimicked real funeral with family, relatives and friends eulogising him during the mock service.

Khagola is said to have travelled to Russia in search for a job, just two months before his tragic death in the battle field on August14, 2025.

Unknown to his family that he had allegedly joined the Russian military.

The family remained unaware of his whereabouts until January 2026, when they received the heart-breaking news of his death. Efforts to have his body repatriated for burial proved futile after the family was informed that his remains could not be retrieved from the battlefield.

Khagola’s father, Charles Mutoka, said the family had no option but to hold the symbolic burial after receiving confirmation that there was no hope of ever seeing his remains.

“I am disappointed that the government says it had no knowledge of Kenyans who travelled to Russia in search of greener pastures,” he lamented.

The family described Khagola as a patriotic Kenyan who once served in the military during operations against Al-Shabaab insurgents and during the aftermath of the Wastegate bombing in Nairobi.

Local leaders who attended the ceremony called for justice for Khagola and support for the grieving family.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi has in recent past, raised concern over the increasing number of Kenyans being recruited into the Russia-Ukraine war.

According to Mudavadi, two Kenyans are currently being held as prisoners of war by Ukrainian forces, while hundreds are believed to have been recruited into the Russian military, some allegedly through fake job offers and trafficking networks.

He said the Kenyan government is prioritising humanitarian intervention, tracing missing Kenyans, and stopping further recruitment.

Mudavadi further revealed that Kenya had engaged Russian authorities in efforts aimed at ending the recruitment of Kenyans into the Russian army.

He also warned Kenyans against accepting suspicious overseas job offers without verification through the Ministry of Labour or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying many victims are lured with promises of lucrative jobs and foreign citizenship.

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