Nyeri pupils remember Westgate victims

Summary

• The pupils lit candles as a sign of remembrance of the fallen heroes and other victims who died during the attack.
• Through their presentations the children called for peace and unity among Kenyans.
• Chairman of the Muslim Development Group in Nyeri, Sheikh Uledi Majid said those who attacked innocent Kenyans were thugs.
• Leaders who spoke during the event called on Kenyans to maintain peace and unity regardless of their religious affiliations.

By JAMES NGUNJIRI

Children from several primary schools in Nyeri paid tribute to victims of the Westgate Mall terror attack in a special prayer session held Friday night in Nyeri Town.

The pupils lit candles as a sign of remembrance of the fallen heroes and other victims who died during the attack.

In what they referred to as celebrating the spirit of Kenya, the children drawn from various primary schools braved the cold weather to pay tribute to the victims through songs, special prayers and narratives.

The event was organised by the Mt Kenya Tourist Circuit Association in collaboration with the Nyeri County Government.

Showing the spirit of patriotism for their country, the children called for a united Kenya despite the country having people from different tribes and races.

PEACE AND UNITY

Through their presentations the children called for peace and unity among Kenyans.

Several leaders who graced the event said the terrorists will not succeed and that their actions will not scare people from living in an open and free society.

Nyeri County Chief of Staff Duncan Maina said the event had been organised to show solidarity with the victims.

He added that the prayers were plea to God to heal those wounded and the nation at large.

He said the county had joined the rest of the country in the blood donation drive and that up to 600 pints of blood had been donated.

THUGS

Chairman of the Muslim Development Group in Nyeri, Sheikh Uledi Majid said those who attacked innocent Kenyans were thugs.

“We are very worried as groups of thugs are using our faith to kill people.

There is no verse in the Holy Quran which calls for people to kill each other,” he said.

He termed the act as non-Islamic, stating that the killings were against Islamic teachings.

Leaders who spoke during the event called on Kenyans to maintain peace and unity regardless of their religious affiliations.

They said criminal groups were taking advantage of Islam as a religion.

Mt Kenya Tourist Circuit Association Chief Executive Officer Simon Wachira termed the terrorists as heartless adding that they should be condemned by every peace loving Kenyan.