The pain of loss continues to grip a family in Siaya following the tragic demise of their loved one, who perished alongside nine other KDF officers in a devastating helicopter crash.
Among the fallen heroes is Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi, whose memory lives on in the hearts of his grieving relatives.
In a poignant scene captured in their Siaya home, a relative of Sergeant Omondi holds his portrait, a solemn reminder of a life cut short while on a state mission in North Rift.
The loss of Sergeant Omondi, alongside his comrades, resonates deeply as they were on a noble assignment to assess school renovations in the North Rift region ahead of the scheduled reopening on April 29.
The fateful journey, however, ended tragically as the helicopter, carrying 12 officers, crashed shortly after takeoff, engulfed in flames.
While some of the fallen, including General Francis Ogolla and Sergeant Esther Nyawira, have been laid to rest with solemn ceremonies, Sergeant Omondi’s family faces ongoing struggles in providing him with a dignified farewell.
The family’s spokesperson, Dominic Ogolla, spoke from their rural homestead in Siaya, shedding light on their challenges in receiving communication from the KDF.
He noted that most messages are relayed to relatives in Nairobi, bypassing direct communication with the grieving family.
Describing Sergeant Omondi as young, brilliant, and courteous, his family appeals for assistance from well-wishers, citing their lack of resources to afford him a dignified send-off.
“We need items including foodstuffs, water, and any other resources needed for a burial. We have not yet bought them. We are therefore appealing to well-wishers, even if it is the national or county government, so that we can give Cliphonce a decent burial,” expressed Ogolla.
Amidst their grief, the family also seeks closure through a thorough investigation into the crash by the government.
“Cliphonce was a good boy and very polite. He died when we were not aware that he was going to die. We were not prepared for that, but since he has died, there is nothing we can do. We only ask God to put him where he belongs,” added his uncle, Cleophas Wanyande.
As preparations for Sergeant Omondi’s funeral are underway, scheduled for May 3, the family continues to grapple with their loss, clinging to cherished memories of their beloved son, brother, and comrade, whose legacy will endure in their hearts forever.
