Cord leader Raila Odinga yesterday asked the government to issue a comprehensive statement on the El Adde attack in Somalia on January 15.
He spoke at Osupuko village, Trans Mara West subcounty, during the burial of Private Elias Kirionki who died in the attack.
Raila said it was high time the government told Kenyans exactly what happened.
The former Prime Minister said Kenyans should be told the death toll.
He said their names should be mentioned since they are heroes who died while defending the nation.
They deserved to be honoured and remembered by all Kenyans, Raila said.
“We should be told the names of our gallant sons who perished in Somalia, those who were injured and the plan that the government has to compensate the families,” he said.
Raila said the government should ensure their families continue living like they did when their breadwinners were alive.
The Cord leader asked the government to state its exit strategy in Somalia.
He said Kenyans should know whether KDF “will be in Somalia for two, five, 10, 20 or even 100 years”.
“I was in government when we decided that our military should move into Somalia in order to defend our country’s border after al Shabaab kept on attacking us,” he said.
“But we would like to know what the government’s long-term plan is about us being in Somalia.”
Kajiado Central MP Elijah Memusi asked the government to expedite the payment of gratuity to the families that lost their sons.
Narok woman representative Soipan Kudate urged politicians not to politicise the tragedy.