The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) on Thursday held a requiem mass for the 11 soldiers who lost their lives following a chopper crash in Ngong, Kajiado County on Thursday, June 24.
The requiem mass was held at Moi Air Base Gymnasium.
The 11 soldiers are Warrant Officer Class O2 Tarcisio Wandera Namboka, (WO2) Joshua Obare Odera, Staff Sergeant (Ssgt) Noah Wanyonyi Munialo, Ssgt Bob Kipkemoi Aruasa, Ssgt Anthony Simon Kamuti and Sergeant (Sgt) Josphat Muriuki Maingi.
Others are; Ssgt Irene Wanjiku Githinji, Sgt Steve Ombuka Angwenyi, Sgt Stephen Omarian Omale, Cpl Bonface Ogati Mocheche and Spte Thomas Shekeine.
Wanjiku Githinji was a flight attendant and was awarded with United Nations and Constitution Medals since she began her service in 2008.
Muriuki Maingi was working as an Air Loadmaster Squadron before his death. During his tenure in the Service, he was honoured with United Nations and Constitution Medals.
Ombuka Angwenyi was working as a technician before his demise. He had been honoured with Operation Linda Nchi and Constitution Medals since his tenure commenced in 2007.
Omarian Omale was also working as a technician. Since he began his tenure in 2007, he was honoured with Operation Linda Nchi and Constitution Medals.
Ogati Mocheche was working as an Air Loadmaster Squadron. Since the beginning of his tenure in 2010, he has been honoured with Operation Linda Nchi Medal.
Obare Odera served as a Technician, No. 3 Squadron, before his demise. Since being absorbed into the service in 1990, he has been honoured with Long Service and Good Conduct, 20 Great Year of Nyayo Era, Operation Linda Nchi and Constitution Medals.
Wandera Namboka was working as a nurse before he passed on. He started his service in 1994 and had been honoured with the Long Service and Good Conduct, 20 Great Year of Nyayo Era, Operation Linda Nchi and Constitution Medals over his period at the service.
Wanyonyi Munialo was a technician and had also been honoured with Long Service and Good Conduct, 20 Great Year of Nyayo Era, Operation Linda Nchi and Constitution Medals that served as his milestone during tenure that started in 1994.
Kipkemoi Aruasa was also a technician. He had been honoured with Long Service and Good Conduct, Operation Linda Nchi and Constitution Medals since he began his tenure in 2002.
Simon Kamuti was a technician and had also been honoured with the Long Service and Good Conduct, Operation Linda Nchi and Constitution Medals since he began his tenure in 2003.
Thomas Shekeine was working as a Flight Attendant before his demise. He was enlisted in the KDF in 2014 and was honoured with Operation Linda Nchi Medal during his tenure of service.
The soldiers who had survived the crash had expressed difficulty trying to rescue those trapped in the plane as it had burst into flames. The weapons in the plane alongside ammunition carried by the soldiers further exploded.
The plane was reduced to ashes except for its broken propellers and a section of the engine.
12 more soldiers were rushed to private hospitals in the area after incurring injuries before they were relocated to the Kenya Defence Forces Memorial Hospital for admission.
