AINABKOI,14 Nov.2026 – Grief has engulfed Ilula Village in Ainabkoi Constituency, Uasin Gishu County, following reports that a young man from the area, Silah Kimutai Arusei, died while fighting in the Russia-Ukrine war.
Relatives, friends and neighbours have pitched camp at the family’s home to console the bereaved family, as they wait for answers on when, and if, his body will be brought home.
Arusei is reported to have died on the frontline in April 2026, according to information the family says it received from another relative in Russia. Some local news broadcasts had earlier referenced December, a discrepancy the family says has added to their pain and confusion.
According to his mother, Josephine Arusei, Silah first left Kenya in 2022 to work in Qatar.
After completing his employment contract in the Gulf country, he travelled to Russia in search of further opportunities, where he reportedly ended up joining the Russian military.
His mother said he was lured into the conflict while seeking employment abroad.
“My son went to look for work to help us. He went to Qatar first, and when his contract ended, he went to Russia. He did not go to fight a war; he went to look for a job,” said Josephine Arusei.
“While he was in Russia, he used to call me and ask me to pray for him. He kept telling me, ‘Mum, pray for me.’ I kept praying for him every day,” she added.
Josephine said her son had been communicating with her since December last year, but the communication suddenly stopped on 31st March this year.
“He communicated with me since December last year, but the communication stopped on 31st March this year. That is when I realised something was not good,” she said.
His cousin, Ken Sorutai, said the family received the devastating news from another relative who is in Russia.
“We got information from another relative in Russia that Arusei died on the frontline in April 2026. We are still trying to get full details of what happened to him,” said Sorutai.
“It is very painful because we cannot even see his body. We only hear that he is gone. As a family, we are asking for the truth about how he died,” he added.
His sister, Vivian Arusei, described her brother’s death as a big blow to the family, saying he was the family’s provider.
She said he had started building a house for their mother and was supporting the family before his death.
“His death is a big blow to the family. He had started building a house for our mother, and he was supporting us. He had big dreams for this family,” said Vivian Arusei.
“He was our hope. Now he is gone, and we do not even have his body to bury. It is very hard for my mother,” she added.
Because Arusei’s body remains in Russia, the family is now appealing to President William Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary (CS) Musalia Mudavadi to intervene and assist in repatriating his remains so they can give him a proper burial.
“We are appealing to them to intervene and help us bring our son home,” said Vivian Arusei.
“We want to give him a proper burial. Even if he died far away, he deserves to rest at home, in Ilula, where his family can visit him,” she said.
“We are asking the government to help us. We cannot do this alone. Please help us bring our brother home so that we can bury him with dignity,” said Vivian Arusei.
