CORD calls for national mourning in favour of fallen soldiers

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) has called on the government to declare two days of national mourning following the killing of Kenyan troops by the Al Shabaab militants on Friday.

CORD, in a statement to newsrooms, says that the magnitude of the attack and the number of lives lost warrants a national mourning period.

“Because of the physical and psychological magnitude of this tragedy, we wish to appeal to the government to declare a two-day period of national mourning beginning Tuesday, January 19th, 2016. We urge that during this period, all flags be flown at half-mast,” said CORD in a statement.

CORD also wants the government to disclose the number of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel killed, those injured and how the attack happened.

“We urge the President to take charge and guide our grieving nation. The government needs to give information on casualties, survivors and circumstances leading to this tragedy.”

“The President’s leadership of this process will help close the information gap, which is being filled by Al Shabaab propaganda and reassure Kenyans that all is not lost.”

Further, CORD has challenged the President to “suspend all activities and convene an emergency session of the Cabinet which will provide way forward and guidance to our people”.

In a statement signed by the CORD co-principals Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula, the coalition said: “The attack has sparked off understandable panic, anger and uncertainty among our citizens who are seeking to better understand how this happened, the number of victims, the survivors and their whereabouts and how we ensure this does not happen again.”

“We urge our people to remain calm and vigilant. Although we are in shock, we must remain resolute. Even in this sorrow, we must be unbowed and we must not give up.”

The exact number of the casualties and those injured in the attack as well as those missing is still unknown even as the government continues to airlift the injured troops to Nairobi for specialized treatment.