Brigadier Swale Saidi: Military Officer Who Died In Helicopter Crash Buried In Kilifi

• Brigadier Swale Saidi woke up a healthy man yesterday, by evening, he was in a morgue, and today, he sleeps six feet under, all within 48 hours
• Photos from the emotional burial captured fellow soldiers giving their last salute to their departed colleagues
• For many of them, the idea that Brigadier Swale was being buried hours after they were with him was a true reminder of how fickle life is

A sombre mood engulfed mourner at Utange Grounds in Kilifi County as the late Brigadier Swale Saidi was laid to rest.

Swale was one of the fatalities in an air crash accident in which one of the military helicopters tumbled out of the skies in Elgeyo Marakwet.

Photos by Citizen TV Kenya captured the emotional ceremony as the deceased's procession made its way to his final resting place.

The military motorcade was flanked by fellow soldiers who gave their last salutes to their departed comrade.

Social media condolences

Kenyans took to social media to console the grieving family, with many expressing shock at how fickle life is.

Master Ondari

"Yaani, someone was alive yesterday but today ako kwa casket!"

Governor Nîsh

"Kenya has lost a dedicated military General. Poleni sana to families of our KDF soldiers and KDF fraternity."

Annemary Lwanga:

"Rest in peace, my good neighbour. I saw you on Wednesday, and today you are gone. Life is short."

Lenz Kolil:

"Whenever you finish your day peacefully, always thank God. We don't know the time or the hour. May the departed souls R.I.P."

What you need to know:

• The accident claimed the lives of Captain Mohamed Karro Sora and eight others, including General Francis Ogolla, the Chief of Defence Forces.
• The military chopper went down and burst into flames in the Kaber area of Endo Ward shortly after departing from Cheptulel Boys Secondary School on Thursday, April 18.
• The officials who died alongside CDF Ogolla and Captain Sora are Brigadier Swale Saidi, Colonel Duncan Keittany, Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe, Major George Benson Magondu, Captain Hillary Litali, Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Mureithi, Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi, and Sergeant Rose Nyawira.