Kenyan newspaper The Star has obtained names of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers who were killed by the Alshabaab on the Friday dawn Kulbiyow camp attack.
Contrary to a report by the military that only 15 soldiers were injured during the fierce engagement and that they had been evacuated to Nairobi for treatment, the daily has stated that at least 16 soldiers lost their lives in the attack.
The slain soldiers include:
1. Kassim Roba - Madogo, Tana River (buried)
2. Abdalla Aziz - Isiolo (buried)
3. Mohammed Konchara - Merti (Isiolo) (buried)
4. Ido Kuno – Isiolo (buried)
5. Amani Mwinga - (buried)
6. Francis Kombo - Mazeras
7. Gideon Nyabidi - Trans Nzoia
8. Victor Ilavonga - Vihiga
9. Juma Mwanguya - Kilifi
10. Kennedy Bakari - Kilifi
11. Mohammed Utange (Mombasa)
12. Rajab Baya - Kilifi
13. George Ndirangu
14. Benson Ntheketha
15. Josiah Kamau
16. Captain Silas Ekido
Military spokesperson Paul Njunguna had reiterated that 70 Alshabaab members were killed and scores wounded during the counter-attack while the terrorists have released photos where they are seen moving through the base in Somalia and destroying vehicles and property belonging to the KDF as some of their fighters watched and took the pictures..
Many questions have been raised concerning the attack as it occurred a year after several soldiers were massacred in El-Adde but just as the latter, little is known about the Kulbiyow incident.