EVENT SUMMARY
18th January 2016, CDF Samson Mwathethe, Defence CS Raychelle Omamo receive 4 bodies of fallen heroes at airport.
Defence CS, confirms the search, rescue and recovery operation ongoing.
Two chaplains and an Imam prayed before the bodies were carried away in ambulances.
As rescue missions intensify, consequently we expect to see more of our soldiers in the coming days, Defence CS added.
Four bodies of fallen KDF soldiers arrived at Wilson airport on Monday at 10 p.m.
An elaborate military parade attended by Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo, Chief of Defence Forces General Samson Mwathethe, Kenya Air Force Commander Samuel Thuita and other top military officials was at the airport to receive the bodies of KDF fallen heroes.
Meanwhile rescue mission by KDF’s Special Forces is ongoing and in the coming days more soldiers are expected to arrive home, Defence secretary also confirmed.
Ms Omamo appreciated the support from Kenyans and called for patience and resilience as the SF undertakes a complex covert mission inside Somalia.
When the air force plane touched down at Wilson airport, a team of 11 soldiers marched forward to receive their fallen comrades.
A prayer was led by two chaplains and an Imam before the bodies were carried away in military ambulances at 10.20.pm.
Devastation and pain showing on faces of soldiers as they lifted the bodies of their fallen colleagues into the ambulance and as the ambulance moved into the
Defence CS Raychelle Omamo repeated the words she has said since the message of Al Shabaab’s attack got into the country, “We shall not relent. We will fight them to the very end.”
