From a friend in Kenya Dear friends and brothers, Pray for us and our beloved country, Kenya. Once again we have been hit by terrorists; and hit very hard. The hit this time around is unique in that we have a situation where hostages held by the terrorists in the very capital of our nation. The collateral physical, psychological and emotional damage may rival the 1998 bombing of the USA Embassy here in Nairobi, that threw the country into a convulsion of mourning and weeping and bleeding, and in which over 200 people died and many hundreds injured and not a few maimed for life. Confirmed number of those who have died for the current tragedy so far now stands at 79. And this is still possible to increase considering that many have been hospitalised with critical injuries. Right now the hospitals are appealing for blood donations from the living to help the dying! Unknown number of terrorists stormed an upscale Westgate Shopping Mall in the Westlands suburb of the City Nairobi, spraying bullets indiscriminately and detonating hand grades as they forced their entry into the Mall. This is a place that is frequented by the diplomatic corps, the expatriates and in general, the who is who in Kenya. The attack was eerily carried out at the worst [fortuitous for the plotters] time possible --on Saturday lunch hour when many people congregate at the Mall for shopping, meals and socialising. The terrorists shot their way into the Mall spraying bullets indiscriminately and detonating hand grenades. They allegedly spared those shoppers who could recite Koran or say Muslim prayers. So it was a war waged primarily against Christian Kenya. Of course, the shoppers panicked and ran to seek shelter within the building and the terrorists pursued them and held many of them hostage. At the moment, there are still hostages held within the building. How many, there is no telling. The police and the security apparatus have surrounded the premises and assure us that they have the situation under control. Admittedly they have a difficult time trying to diffuse the time bomb that is in the making. They face a daunting challenge, for they do not know exactly in which locations the hostages are held in the two floors, and the basement of the building as survivors have revealed. A common attack plan must of necessity be complicated. But do hope hope the security forces will exercise maximum care to make sure they rescue the hostages alive. e caution because every time the terrorists feel threatened, they may kill the hostage. The worst scenario would be if the terrorists are enticing the security forces to mill into the building in order to blow the blow up the entire building, if they have bombs capable of blowing up the building. But we are sure the security forces are leaving nothing to chance or taking anything for granted. At least it is said that 15 terrorists are still holed up in the Mall holding hostages. How dangerously armed they are we are not sure. These perhaps were not the only ones involved. It is reported that some escaped yesterday in the confusion that ensued disguising themselves as some of the innocent shoppers running for safety. It is a time like these that our people are galvanised together to fight the common enemy. Our political leaders as well as religious have united in condemning this heinous crimes committed against innocent Kenyans. They are forging a common front to bring healing to the bleeding nation. Kenya has shown remarkable resilience in the past. Pray that it will exhibit the same time round. May God bless Kenya.
Posted on: Sun, 22 Sep 2013 16:59:13 +0000