A funeral of one of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops killed during an attack by Al Shabaab militants in El Adde Somalia was aborted at the last minute following a DNA mix-up, leaving the family in deep sorrow.
The family of David Gitonga from Twale village in Meru County, was frustrated on Saturday after being informed that DNA samples collected did not match that of their late son whom they had prepared to bury on the same day.
According to the fallen soldier's father Salesio Rinu, they had already identified his body and made funeral arrangements only to be informed that samples from his other children did not match that of the body.
Mr Salesio, who had already lost another son in the military, stated that the family was forced to conduct rituals on an empty grave before placing soil back.
Members of Gitonga's family expressed hopes that their son would return home alive decrying lack of clear information from the government.
“I believe he is still alive. The government should speed up investigations and tell us what happened,” said the County's Education Executive who is an uncle to the soldier.
The attack which happened on January 15, sparked outrage from Kenyans with many asking the government to withdraw the Forces from war-torn Somalia.
However, President Uhuru Kenyatta affirmed his stand that the country would continue pursuing the militants vowing to avenge every life that was lost during the attack.
The sentiments were echoed by Opposition leader Raila Odinga who urged the country to put aside political differences and support the Forces in their efforts to secure the country even as they organised an exit strategy from Somalia..
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