GSU officer killed by bandits in Turkana laid to rest in Kirinyaga

A somber mood engulfed Kimandi village in Kirinyaga central on Friday during the burial of Benson Brian Macharia.

Macharia, 22, was one of the eight security officers, two civilians and one chief who met their untimely deaths late last week after they were ambushed by heavily armed bandits in Turkana.

Out of the eight security officers who died in the attack, two officers namely Benson Brian Macharia and Boniface Muthii hailed from Kirinyaga.

In line with the tradition of mourning a departed soldier, officers drawn from the GSU honoured their late colleague with a 21 gun salute.

Local leaders amongst them county senator Kamau Murango, woman rep Njeri Maina and area MP Gachoki Gitari were among mourners who joined friends, relatives and colleagues in laying the departed one to rest.

Led by Murango the leaders paid tribute to the gallant soldier even as they described him as patriotic, peacemaker and a devoted officer.

The senator called on the state to deal ruthlessly with cattle rustlers and ensure that peace resumes promptly.

He decried the high rate at which Kirinyaga has registered loss of it's natives who have met their deaths while on duties in insecurity prone areas.

In the spirit of curbing cattle rustling, the senator is now urging the government to restructure it's mode of dispatching it's soldiers by giving the first priority to those who hail from such regions.

"It is unfortunate that Kirinyaga always suffer from such misfortunes. This is not the first soldier we are losing in Kirinyaga as we have lost a couple of others in the past."

"Let the soldiers who come from those areas be deployed there because they will be able to well guard their property,"he said.

County woman rep Njeri Maina urged the government to ensure that the military officers work in a safe environment even as they render their service to the nation.

She also exuded confidence that the Ruto administration will flash out all the bandits and restore calmness in the insecurity prone areas.

In addition, she expressed hope that it will also sort out the challenges chocking the service such as mental health and poor remuneration.

Njeri also called on Kenyans to support and pray for the men in uniform as they put their lives on the line for the safety of all Kenyans.

Area MP Gachoki Gitari pledged that his office will continue assisting the family.

Through a message led by assistant superintendent Julius Njeru, GSU commander Douglas Kanja described the late young soldier as a dedicated, gallant soldier who will be missed by many.

The late Macharia was buried beside his parents' graves.