President Kenyatta, DP Ruto, Odinga honour fallen KDF soldiers

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday attended a special remembrance in honour of fallen Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers that was held at the Defence Forces Memorial Hospital.

During the event that honoured the killed and injured soldiers during an Al Shabaab attack at El Adde in Somalia, President Kenyatta said the government will support their families, reiterating that Kenya will continue the war on terror.

“We are at war with extremists, we are at war with terrorists and we are at war with fanatics. This is a war that we must win,” stated the Head of State.

President Kenyatta asked every Kenyan to understand that this is a war that requires our unity as a nation.

President Kenyatta

“We must stand shoulder-to-shoulder and face the enemy of humanity. We stand in solidarity as a nation. We are not Muslims or Christians, we are unbowed Kenyans determined to protect our way of life,” stated President Kenyatta.

Kenyatta urged the government and the people of Somalia to build a peaceful country for themselves.

“This is your moment Somalia, to demonstrate that you are ready to build a stable and credible government.”

Deputy President William Ruto celebrated the courage and sacrifice of the fallen KDF soldiers noting that President Kenyatta had difficult choices to make in ensuring the nation remains safe.

“Like we overcame the attack at Westgate Mall that has since be re-opened and like we overcame the attack at Garissa University College, we shall overcome this one,” said Ruto.

“At a moment like this, we stand together as Kenyans, there is no government and there is no opposition,” said CORD leader Raila Odinga.

CORD Leader Raila Odinga

Odinga urged Kenyans to use the loss of the fallen soldiers to ensure that we complete what ‘our heroes started.”

“Terror groups are bad for Kenya, terror groups are bad for Somalia and terror groups are bad for the world. We must finish the Al Shabaab. Let us overcome evil with good.”

“The KDF is a strong force. We stand because you stand. Where you go, we will follow with a heartfelt support,” said Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo.

“I want to ensure you that the blood of our fallen heroes was not shed in vain. We will fight the Al Shabaab deep in their hideouts, we will smoke them and suffocate them in their caves,” said Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Samson Mwathethe.

Representatives of the European Union (EU), African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) in a show of solidarity said their will continue to work with Kenya in the common fight against terrorists and the war on terror.