Family of slain KDF soldier demand body for burial

Eliakim Omenda's father, Ben Afwamba and his mother Zilpa Afwamba at their home in Ururi Village, Siaya County.PHOTO/ISAIAH GWENGI.

NAIROBI: A family in Bondo has accused the Department of Defence (DoD) of delaying the burial of their son.

Eliakim Afwamba, a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldier, died three weeks ago after terrorists attacked their camp in Somalia.

Afwamba’s family said they had already identified the 29-year-old’s body, and had started making plans for his burial only for DoD to change the date.

The family’s spokesman George Otieno said they had already been informed about the burial, which was to take place on February 7, but things have since changed.

“We were told yesterday (Wednesday) that we cannot organise a burial without them giving us the go-ahead,” he said. He added it had become torturous and expensive for the family as the waiting gets longer.

“We have seen bodies being ferried to their respective homes and buried. Why is ours taking longer to bring home?” He posed.

Meanwhile, calls by leaders for the Government to pull Kenyan troops out of Somalia after the El-Adde attack continue to gather pace.

Siaya Deputy Governor Wilson Ouma Onyango said Kenya should start a withdrawal road map, adding the attacks have become too expensive for the country.

Siaya Woman Representative Christine Ombaka said the presence of KDF in Somalia is fuellng war. “We are not benefiting having our soldiers in Somalia... they are being killed and more attacks carried out here,” said Ombaka.

“The soldiers should be brought back to protect the country.”