KDF soldier who died in helicopter crash laid to rest in Kisumu

Military officers fire 21-gun-salute in honour of Captain Jacob Agunda during his burial in Nyando, Kisumu County.

 

Emotions ran high on Friday during the burial of one of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers who was killed in the July 13 helicopter crash in Machakos County.

Hundreds of friends, relatives, and military workmates of Major Jacob Agunda, 34, gathered at his family’s farm in Kowiny village in Masogo, Nyando in Kisumu County to lay his body to rest.

Speakers at the funeral condoled the family and praised the fallen soldier, saying he was a hardworking and humble young man.

“Death has robbed me of a friendly, industrious, humble and hardworking son. May he rest in peace,” said his mother, Ms Pamela Awuor, amid tears.

She went on: "I will miss you my son, you had big dreams. Nevertheless, all is well with my soul; let your soul rest in the hands of our God.”

Major Agunda, who joined the army in 14 years ago was the only breadwinner of the family before he met his death following a military chopper crash in Kanyonga, Machakos together with a colleague.

The US-made light attack helicopter gunship MD 530F army plane is said to be a training flight.

Born on September 28, 1986 at Lumumba Hospital in Kisumu, he attended Onong’no Primary School and Masogo Primary School where he sat for his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education in the year 2001.

He then joined Ngere Boys High School where he sat for his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations in 2005.

A year later, he joined the military through Cadet recruitment and was trained at Lanet before being posted to Nairobi.

He then, again luckily landed a piloting course in China, which saw him fast rise through the ranks to become a Major three years ago.

He is survived with wife Beryl and a young son, and was said to be planning for a wedding.