A former Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer, Moses Etyang, has come out to narrate how a decade-old attack in Somalia left him with lasting injuries and eventually cost him his military career. His story has drawn public sympathy as he renews his push for justice.
According to reports, Etyang was among Kenyan soldiers deployed to Somalia under the African Union Mission (Amisom) to fight al-Shabaab militants. During his service, he survived an attack that left him with injuries that continued to affect him long after leaving the battlefield.
“Sikai kama soldier, nachekelewa,” Etyang said, insisting that he remained committed to his duties despite the toll the attack had taken on his body.
Reports indicate that Etyang was later dismissed from the military, a move he says came without adequate consideration of the injuries he sustained in the line of duty. He has recounted the difficulties he faced in the years that followed, including challenges accessing proper medical treatment and support.
Sources reveal that Etyang has since pursued justice through the courts, seeking compensation and recognition for the sacrifices he made while serving the country. He has now appealed directly to President William Ruto, asking for intervention as his condition persists.
His case adds to a broader conversation around the welfare of Kenyan soldiers who served in Somalia fighting al-Shabaab, a mission that has claimed the lives of many KDF officers and left others with injuries over the years. Veterans and rights groups have previously raised concerns over how the military handles compensation and support for personnel injured in combat.
Etyang’s appeal comes as public attention continues to turn toward the treatment of KDF veterans after their service in the volatile Somalia region.