The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) alongside family, friends, and colleagues, gathered at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to receive the body of the late Major Paul Njoroge Ndung’u who was killed while serving with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
Major Ndung’u was fatally wounded during an ambush by armed militants while on patrol in the Zemio region later succumbing to his injuries.
The KDF team was led by the General Officer Commanding Eastern Command, Maj Gen Luka Kutto who described him as a gallant officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his nation and to peace.
His body was taken to the Mashujaa Farewell Home as burial arrangements commence. The body arrived on April 3.
“The KDF fraternity, the fallen officer’s family and the nation at large mourn the loss of a dedicated soldier whose unwavering commitment to peace and service will forever be remembered,” a statement said.
A statement from the UN Spokesperson’s office on behalf of António Guterres said the peacekeeper had been killed by so-far unknown assailants when his unit was on a long-range patrol near the village of Tabane in the Haut-Mbomou prefecture, in the southeast of the country.
“The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the family of the fallen peacekeeper and to the Government and the people of Kenya,” the statement said.
“The Secretary-General recalls that attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law. He calls on the Central African authorities to spare no effort in identifying the perpetrators of this tragedy so that they can be brought to justice swiftly.”
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
