Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has been laid to rest at Alego/Usonga in Siaya County amid demands for answers into the military chopper crash that killed him alongside Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla and eight others last month.
Speaking during the funeral ceremony at Ndiwo Primary School grounds on Friday, Siaya Governor James Orengo questioned the State over the chopper that was given to CDF Ogolla on the fateful day of his demise.
Governor Orengo said proper investigations must be done to ascertain the condition and State of the chopper before the fatal crash.
“Lazima tuulize kwa nini jenerali ambaye alikuwa anaongoza wanajeshi wote Kenya na huyu mtoto wetu wanaingia kwa chopper ambayo haikufaa. Hii chopper ambayo huyu mtoto wetu alikufa ndani yake ilikuwa imefanywa service lini na ililetwa lini?” Posed Orengo.
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The chief of Siaya County also objected to General Ogolla's assignment in Elgeyo Marakwet, saying sending an entire CDF to inspect schools was inappropriate.
"How are you going to send a Chief of Defence Forces to do school inspections? Is there anyone else qualified to take that job on? Ileharibika nini tunataka kujua nini ambayo ilikuwa jenerali kuenda ambapo kifo ilitokea, he said.
At the same time, the governor criticized the government's intentions to deploy Kenyan troops to Haiti for a peacekeeping assignment, stating that the government could not possibly send soldiers out while there is unrest in Kenya.
He thereby said that before sending soldiers to Haiti, the Kenya Kwanza government must first ensure that Kenya has adequate peace.
“Lazima serikali iweke bidii zaidi waone kwamba kuna usalama popote katika Kenya. Hii swala la kupeleka watu Haiti lazima tuichunguze sana, huwezi kwenda kwa jirani kuleta usalama kama boma lako halina usalama,” added Orengo.
The burial of Sergeant Omondi was also attended by Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo, who lauded the KDF for showing solidarity since the unfortunate tragedy struck the country on April 18, 2024.
"I love the show of solidarity that is within the KDF family. You've done this from the first day when the unfortunate event happened, and you continue to do it for all the families that lost their loved ones. As a country we appreciate and honour the service that you give to all of us," stated the PS.
