Three of the fallen KDF soldiers killed by Al-Shabaab at their Kulbiyoh base in southern Somalia were buried in Isiolo Sunday.
Kenya Air force plane ferried five bodies to Isiolo Airport where two bodies were off-loaded in Isiolo town, one taken to Korbesa in Merti District (Isiolo) and two others to Marsabit.
In Isiolo town, residents joined leaders and relatives of the fallen soldiers where they grieved and called on the Government to recall Kenyan troops from volatile Somalia.
In Isiolo town, those buried at Muslim cemetery located at Tullu Roba Estate were Private Ido Kuno Ido and Abdalla Aziz, a corporal.
The third who was flown to Merti’s remote Korbesa village was identified as Mohammed Konchora, 23. He was also buried after Muslim’s 1 pm prayers.
Families of the heart-broken Aziz who hail from Isiolo but run business in Maralal town in Samburu were also present to receive the body of their 23-year-old son.
They could not bear the pain of losing their bread-winner.
Konchora had joined the force in 2014 and is unmarried but set to enter into matrimonial stage in August.
His elder brother, Ali who was at the airport and later accompanied the body to Korbesa could not speak to the press as he was too emotional
His in-law, Dida Malicha was able to give the young man’s details.
And there was tragedy in Merti as cops on their way to Korbesa for burial of Konchora were involved in a grisly road crash where 12 officers were seriously injured.
A KDF senior officer who declined to be identified said two other bodies; one belonging to a Mr Umuro had also been airlifted to Marsabit’s North Horth.
Present at the airport were Isiolo Woman Representative Tiyah Galgalo, nominated Senator Fatuma Dhulo and Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (Tarda) chairman Abdul Bahari.
Ms Galgalo called for a pull out of KDF from Somalia saying the forces have no business there anymore.
She said the young man (Konchora) is her relative. Ms Tiya added that it was sad that young soldiers are dying in Somalia and therefore support their withdrawal.