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the Islamic version of the old Somali warlord...attack on a KDF camp that left 21 personnel dead.
Speaking during the burial of Rajab Baya Kazungu -- one of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers who was killed at Kulbiyow, Somalia -- on Saturday at his Kinarani home in Kilifi County, mourners said it was time for the soldiers to protect the country’s borders from within.
Among those who attended the burial was Kaloleni MP Gunga Mwinga, area ward representative Pascal Thuva and a member of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Morris Dzoro.
A sombre mood engulfed the village as KDF soldiers carried the casket bearing the remains of Mr Kazungu around 3pm, bringing to and end the life of the soldier who married on December 3 before being deployed to Somalia.
He was among four soldiers from the county who were killed in line of duty in Somalia.
Others who perished in the attack were Kennedy George Bakari, 30, and his nephew Juma Bakari, Mwanguyo, 38, from Mikuluni in Ganze Sub County and Francis Kombo from Mazeras in Rabai Sub County.
The other three are yet to be buried, with family sources saying they will be laid to rest next Saturday.
Mr Gunga joined locals and other leaders who spoke in calling for the withdrawal of Kenyan soldiers from Somalia.
"The President recently withdrew all the troops in Sudan. We would like to see the same happening now because we are not at war with Somalia," he said.