Soldier killed in Somalia attack buried

Tuesday, February 02, 2016

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A Kenya Defence Forces soldier killed in El Adde, Somalia, was buried in Mumias East Monday.

Speaking during the burial ceremony in Makunga, Saidi Olacho said his son Omar Olacho's desire to protect Kenyans saw him quit his studies at Kenya Medical Training College to join the military in 2012.

"I am yet to believe that my son is no more. He was so disciplined and his passion to protect our country forced him to quit studies as a nutritionist to join the military," said Olacho.

Those who got an opportunity to speak asked KDF to avenge the deaths of the country's heroes.

Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali said his constituency was one of the most affected and urged the military to pursue Al Shabaab until the terror group is vanquished.

"Unless Somalia is peaceful we will never enjoy peace in our country. We remain insecure as Kenyans if Somalia will remain the way it is now. The only solution is to fight the enemy to the end," Mr Washiali said.

"We have to use all means possible to defeat terrorism to secure our country. I am ready to take my son to the military so that he can help us secure this nation. We are at war with Al Shabaab. Whether in Kenya or Somalia we have to deal with them." KDF led by Imam Maalim Ali said they will miss the exemplary work done by Private Omar.

Omar was with the 9th Kenya Rifles, based at Moi Barracks in Eldoret. He served under Delta Company. Last month, Chief of Defence Forces Samson Mwathethe said the Al Shabaab commander who led the El-Adde attack, Maalim Janow, was killed in a KDF airstrike launched after the incident.

A board of inquiry formed to probe what really happened during the attack started its work late last month. Preliminary findings showed the local Marehan clan might have played a role in the attack's planning and execution. The clan lives in El Adde, Gedo region where the camp was.

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