Anxiety as families plead for details of missing soldiers

Anxious families uncertain of the fate of their loved ones who were in Somalia last week during an attack on KDF soldiers continue to flock Moi Barracks, Eldoret where a report desk has been set up.

Some family members could not hold back tears on Monday. Though the media was barred from taking photographs, most family members who spoke to the Nation said the government was taking long to release information.

“The government said it would not provide information until we are informed. It is five days after the attack and there is no news yet. We are tired of waiting. If they died, let them tell us,” a parent from Trans Nzoia said.

Captain Thomas Mwanga of Defence Public Affairs department said no journalists would be allowed into the barracks, “out of the respect for the families’ privacy”.

The families faulted President Kenyatta for his continued stay at the Coast. They said he should have suspended the tour and held a crisis cabinet meeting.

When the Nation team toured Lelmokwo Village in Nandi County friends and relatives of one of the soldiers in Somalia said he had not called them for five days.

Mr Samson Sirikwa said he last spoke to his son, Wesley, 21 on Thursday evening.

“He went to Somalia on January 2 and we have been talking since. He always told us that security was okay,” Mr Sirikwa said. 

Wesley, the ninth born in a in a family of 13 joined KDF in 2013 and his fiancee will be graduating as police officer in a month.

“When we received the news of the attack, we thought it was another part of Somalia but we learnt later that he was in the exact place the killings happened,” the soldier’s mother, Rachel said.

MOTHER'S AGONY

Family members said she had neither eaten nor slept since the news of the attack was received in the village.

The family complained that the government was slow in releasing information.

The soldiers were killed after Al Shabaab terrorists attacked an African Union Mission base camp at El Adde, in Somalia on Friday.

Meanwhile, the  gloomy weather in Gilgil epitomises the general mood that has engulfed the town after reports on the soldiers killing started filtering in on Friday.

Relatives of soldiers trooped to Kenyatta barracks, seeking information on their loved ones.

A post-traumatic centre has been set up. Even so, information for relatives was scanty.

“We are not in a position to know what is happening and we are relying on colleagues who went on a rescue mission,” a soldier said.

Despite the gloom, some were relieved after being called by their loved ones.

“I was called by a relative this morning. I thank God for his escape,” said a woman who wished to remain anonymous.

“It is a sweet-bitter moment. My neighbours do not know the fate of their relatives and some of them are traumatised.”

Mr Muhammad Saidi, one of the Sunday mourning procession organisers said he and his colleagues were willing to offer psychological support to those who lost their loved ones.

On Saturday evening, they lit candles in honour of the fallen soldiers and marched on Gilgil streets on Sunday.