CDF Samson Mwathethe, Defence CS Raychelle Omamo receive 4 bodies of fallen heroes at airport

The military aircraft carrying four bodies of the fallen Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officials arrived at Wilson airport at exactly 9.55 pm.

They were received in an elaborate military parade that was 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.

When the plane touched down, a team of 11 soldiers marched towards the cargo section of the aircraft to receive the caskets that were draped with the Kenyan flag.

In the darkness of the night, the soldiers walked slowly, one calculated step after another as they carried the caskets shoulder-high towards the waiting tables that were laid before the religious leaders, who were to preside over the function.

When the bodies were placed on a table, the soldiers removed the guns from their holders and placed them facing down in a symbolic message that meant the journey of battle had come to an end for the fallen heroes.

When the plane touched down, a team of 11 soldiers marched towards the cargo section of the aircraft to receive the caskets that were draped with the Kenyan flag. (PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO/ STANDARD)

"There is devastation in our hearts when we think about the pain the fallen heroes must have gone through as they faced death in the face," said Major Reverend Habil Nakhumwa, one of the religious leaders presiding over the event.

Rescue operation

Other religious leaders included Major Imam Abdinoor and LA Col Father George Mainga, who both delivered a message of peace.

Ms Omamo described the moment as sombre for both the KDF fraternity and the entire nation, saying the search rescue operation is ongoing and more soldiers and bodies are expected to be flown into the country in the course of the week.

She further called for patience, adding that the issue they are dealing with is complicated and they want to handle it with utmost care before relaying information to the affected families.

At exactly 10.20 pm, the military parade to honour the fallen heroes came to an end and the soldiers carried the bodies of their colleagues to waiting ambulances parked towards the airport's gate.

Their faces told of the pain they carried in their hearts as they lifted their fallen colleagues.

Even though they stared straight ahead and watched every step they took, the silence of the night and the darkness could not hide the emotions that were registered all over their faces.

As the ambulances disappeared into the slowing traffic of the city and merged with other vehicles, 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."