President Uhuru Kenyatta has mourned the death of nine Kenya Defence Forces soldiers who were killed by suspected Al-Shabaab militants near Somalia town of Dhobley.
President Kenyatta said that he was appalled and saddened by the loss of the lives of the soldiers who gave their lives for the country.
The nine soldiers were killed when the vehicle they were traveling in ran over an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
In a statement to newsrooms, the President said the slain KDF soldiers are true patriots who paid the ultimate price with their lives while protecting the country from Al-Shabaab militia.
“I was appalled and saddened to learn that we had lost nine young patriots to a cowardly terrorist attack in Somalia. These men gave their lives for their country, and for peace; we must, and we will honour their service, their sacrifice, and their valour,” said President Uhuru as quoted by Citizen.
“The mission for which they gave everything will continue until the evil terrorists of al Shabaab are defeated, and the people of Somalia are safe once more. We owe victory to the fallen. You may be sure we will win, for we have right and might on our side.”
“May God rest the souls of our warriors, and may he grant their families the courage to bear this loss,” added the President.
The Kenyan soldiers were reportedly headed to a military base in Dhobley in Somalia’s Lower Juba region after finishing their patrol when the attack occurred.