GARISSA, Kenya – A sombre mood engulfed Pombo Tano village in Kanduyi constituency, Bungoma county as an officer, Mike Ouma, 26 was laid to rest at their home.
Speaking at the funeral on Saturday, Ouma’s mother, Gaudencia Naliaka said that it was tough for her as she didn’t expect her son to die young.
She recalled sharing her happy and sad moments with her son noting that accepting the fact that he was no more, was difficult.
“I received the death of my son in dismay and disbelief, a boy I have seen grow, cried with him, laughed with him and even got mad at him I can’t believe he is dead,” Naliaka said.
She however said that the deceased was the breadwinner of the family after securing a position to serve in the army.
Ouma was among eight Kenyan police officers who were killed earlier this month when their vehicle was destroyed by an improvised explosive device in a suspected attack by Somalia-based rebel group al-Shabab in Garissa.
Naliaka noted that after her son excelled in his KCSE exams, he joined the NYS Gilgil campus to pursue a four-year diploma course in Food and beverage.
” However, my son’s graduation in NYS was prolonged beyond the normal time due to Corona and thereafter he applied to join KDF and he was luckily recruited, ” she said.
She further stated that her son lived a healthy life with no health complications until his sudden demise.
Naliaka said that she received the death of her son on Wednesday 14th while he was in his line of duty through an explosive planted by the Al Shaabab militants in Garissa.
“My son who really supported me has left behind siblings who need support and it’s my humble appeal to the government to compensate me because I have nowhere to source income,” she added.
