A family in Kodumo Village, Homa Bay County, is pleading with the government to help trace and facilitate the return of their 30-year-old son, Richard Ouma Okiri, a former Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldier who reportedly travelled to Russia before losing contact with relatives eight months ago.
An atmosphere of pain, anxiety and uncertainty engulfed the homestead of John Okiri, where family members say they have been living in anguish since communication with their kin suddenly stopped.
Richard’s mother, Teresa Atieno, says the family’s troubles began after her son allegedly lost his job in the military. According to her, he later left Kenya for Russia through a process the family did not fully understand.
She says they were hopeful that the move would open new opportunities for him, but instead, they have been left with unanswered questions after months of silence.
A relative, Violet Akinyi, who says she was in frequent contact with Richard before communication ceased, claims he may have been deceived into travelling abroad.
According to Violet, Richard and several others were allegedly taken to Russia under the guise of tourists, unaware of the circumstances they would later face.
She says the family now fears he may have been caught up in dangerous activities far from home, with no means of contacting his loved ones.
The family’s fears deepened after Richard’s sister-in-law, Beryl Awuor, reportedly received what is believed to be his final message through Facebook on 7th August 2025.
In the message, he allegedly stated that he had been placed among frontline troops in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and that his life was in danger.
Since then, the family says all efforts to reach him through phone calls, social media and known contacts have been unsuccessful.
The relatives are now appealing to both the Kenyan and Russian authorities, as well as relevant international agencies, to intervene and help establish Richard’s whereabouts.
They are also urging the government to investigate reports of young Kenyans being lured abroad through questionable channels with promises of jobs or travel opportunities, only to end up in risky situations.
The family says their only wish is to know whether Richard is safe and, if possible, to see him return home alive.
As the uncertainty persists, the Okiri family continues to wait, hoping for news that could end months of fear and heartbreak.
