A Kenyan mother, Bibiana Wangari, held a symbolic burial for her son, Charles Waithaka, after he died fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war on December 25, 2025. He was reportedly lured to Russia under false pretenses of a plant operator job, only to be forced into military service.

• Charles Waithaka was one of many Kenyans allegedly tricked into joining the Russian military after being promised civilian jobs.
• His mother desperately tried to secure his release, even contemplating faking her own death, but he was told he had to "work or die."
• Efforts to repatriate Charles' body have been unsuccessful, with authorities stating bodies of war casualties are not recovered.
• Human rights organizations, like Vocal Africa, are investigating these recruitment schemes, reporting more than 70 families are seeking missing sons.