Remains of Kenya fallen soldiers arrive in Nairobi

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Tuesday 19 January 2016 | by Sarah Kimani | Remains of four of Kenya’s fallen soldiers were on Monday airlifted to Nairobi from Somalia, as it emerged that al Shabab militants are holding an unknown number of soldiers hostage.

Kenya is yet to give casualty figures following Friday’s dawn assault on African Union military bases in Somalia.

Kenya’s Defence Secretary Raychelle Omamo says more bodies are expected in Nairobi within the course of the week.

Their arrival is a beginning of a final journey for Kenya’s fallen soldiers.

On hand to receive them was their colleagues. The four caskets were draped in the Kenyan flag and interdenominational prayers were held.

The attack that happened dawn Friday has shocked the East African nation. Attackers using vehicles loaded with explosives and suicide bombers attacked military bases belonging to the Somali National Army and the Kenya Defence Forces killing an unknown number of troops.

This is a very sombre moment for the Kenya Defence Forces

Al Shabab says it killed 63 of them but the militant group is known to cite higher figures of its casualties than official figures.

“This is a very sombre moment for the Kenya Defence Forces, search, rescue and recovery operations are on-going and we expect to receive our soldiers in the coming days,” says Kenya Cabinet Secretary Defence, Raychelle Omamo.

Earlier in the day on Monday sixteen soldiers were airlifted back to the country.

African Union troops have driven the militants from many of its strongholds; the group however still launches attacks in the capital Mogadishu and areas where the troops control.

They have been described as heroes, men who died as they sought to protect their borders. President Uhuru Kenyatta says they will remain put in Somalia until the job is done.

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