Fallen Ulinzi FC defender Kevin Ouma’s funeral deferred

The burial of former Ulinzi Stars defender Kevin Ouma, popularly referred to as ‘Dadi’, has been postponed indefinitely after the Government ordered fresh DNA tests for all the KDF victims of January’s Al-Shabaab attack in Somalia.

The decision follows revelations that some bodies initially released by the military were destined for the wrong burials and some returned by bereaved families.

Ouma’s family was left in shock as emotions run high among mourners who had already camped at the deceased Ngege Rural Village in Migori County after the directive was issued.

“Our burial plans have been interrupted. We now have to incur extra expenses as we have been forced to reschedule our burial arrangements. Mourners have already camped at our homestead and we have already slaughtered bulls for them in accordance with our traditions and customs. We cannot tell them to go away,” a family member said on condition of anonymity.

Initially the cortege was due to leave Armed Forces Military Morgue in Nairobi Thursday for interment the following day but family members were ordered to put the burial plans on hold until fresh DNA tests are conducted.

It  was not immediately established how long the exercise will take but unconfirmed reports say it could be another fortnight before the Government releases the bodies for burial.

The center-half’s family members confirmed they had positively identified the deceased by facial appearance unlike some of the victims whose bodies were burnt beyond recognition.