FALLEN HERO: Ulinzi mourn star Ouma, who perished in El-Adde

ULINZI'S OUMA CONDOLED . Ulinzi stars Kelvin Ouma(left) of Ulinzi dribbles past Sofapaka at Afraha stadium in Nakuru on16-09-2012,Ulinzi stars players and fans mourned fallen former player for his dedication,Ouma died while on duty in Somalia during the January Al-Shabaab attackPHOTO:BONIFACE THUKU

The Kenyan football fraternity is in shock following revelations that Ulinzi Stars defender Kevin Ouma was among victims of Al Shabaab bombing of Amisom military camp in El-Adde in Somalia on January 15.

His widow, Rael Nekesa Wafula, was inconsolable yesterday saying she will miss her loving husband.

“I was contacted by the his employers on Monday. I still can’t believe it but I will have to accept God’s will,” Rael said.

Ouma is also survived by his two sons, Jimmy Keith Ouma (6) and Karlan Ashley Ouma (1).

Former teammates, friends and fans took to the social media all united in grief in mourning Ouma.

Hussein Mohammed, a former teammate wrote on Facebook: “Fellow friends and family today I got a not-so-good call that my brother and friend is among those who perished in Somalia. I am devastated.”

Ulinzi Stars technical bench and office was inundated with calls from both media and friends in football circles, forcing the military outfit to post a message on its website (www.ulinzistars.com).

The website quoted Ulinzi Stars chairman Col JS Mwinyikai as saying, “We have been in mourning for the past one month after our fellow soldiers were killed and it was confirmed to us that one of our players was a casualty as well.”

“Ouma was one of the KDF personnel at the El Adde Amisom camp in Somalia when it was attacked by Al Shabaab militia on January 15. DNA tests have confirmed he was one of the soldiers killed in the attack.”

“It is a sad day for us, for the team and everyone associated with Ulinzi Stars,” Col JS Mwinyikai said.

“This is a loss to us as a team, to the KDF as we have lost a diligent soldier and an ardent servant of the people of Kenya.”

Ulinzi Stars Officer In Charge Major Joel Birgen said: “It has hurt us so much. He is our brother and our friend. Ulinzi Stars will participate fully in sending him home and we will support the family as well,” Maj Birgen said.