Senator Onyonka seeks answers on Kenyan deaths in Ukraine

Parliament Buildings
Wednesday, 04th March 2026

Senator Richard Onyonka has formally requested a statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations regarding the reported deaths of three Kenyan nationals in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. 
The individuals, Mr. Denis Ombwori Bagaka, Mr. Wahome Simon Gititu, and Mr. Clinton Nyapara Mogesa, were reportedly killed in the ongoing conflict, with their bodies said to have been recovered by Ukrainian authorities. 
Senator Onyonka highlighted that Mr. Bagaka was a former member of the Kenya Defence Forces and that his family has had no contact with him since September 2025. 
In his address to the House this afternoon, the Senator for Kisii County stated that the lack of formal communication has left the family in prolonged distress and uncertainty, noting that the situation "raises serious national, diplomatic, and humanitarian concerns about the State’s responsibility to safeguard Kenyan citizens abroad." 
He is now seeking confirmation of their identities and a report on measures being taken to facilitate the recovery and repatriation of their remains.
Additionally, Senator Onyonka sought a statement regarding a security breach at the Kisii County Assembly on 02nd December 2025. 
The legislator informed the House that approximately twenty armed individuals "unlawfully accessed the Assembly premises, intimidated elected leaders, and vandalised property, including vehicles belonging to Members who were undertaking official duties." 
The Senator characterized the incident as a brazen attack within a protected constitutional institution and called for an explanation of the specific security lapses that allowed the breach to occur. 
He demanded that the Ministry of Interior and the National Police Service identify the perpetrators and outline "long-term security reforms and inter-agency coordination measures being implemented to prevent a recurrence of similar security breaches in county assemblies across the country."