Kenyans raise funds for family of teacher who shielded Christians from Shabaab

Mrs Dunia Ahmed (in red burka), the widow of the late Muslim teacher Salah Farah who was shot protecting Christians from Al-Shabaab militants in December last year receives a cheque of Sh595,747 from well wishers at her home in Rhamu, Mandera county on February 6, 2016. PHOTO | MANASE OTSIAO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The late Salah Abdow Farah succumbed to injuries sustained while protecting Christians when the Al-Shabaab terrorists attacked a bus in December last year.

  • The donations have been handed over to the late Salah’s family.
  • The late Farah left behind a pregnant wife and four children aged between two and 10 years old.

Good Samaritans have raised almost Sh600,000 through a social media campaign for the family of the Muslim teacher who shielded Christians from Al-Shabaab militants in Mandera.

The late Salah Abdow Farah succumbed to injuries sustained while protecting Christians when the Al-Shabaab terrorists attacked a bus in December last year.

A human rights activist, Mr Abdullahi Derrow, started on an online campaign to raise funds for the heroic teacher’s family. The late Farah left behind a pregnant wife and four children aged between two and 10 years old.

“The #HeroSalah’ Twitter campaign received an outpouring of support from Kenyans sending a clear message to Al-Shabaab that Kenyans are united,” said Mr Derrow, “Mr Salah left very young children that need support and Kenyans have proved that they are united against terror.”

Mr Derrow added: “I thought of how I can get Kenyans to support this family of a man who had protected lives in an attack and within a month we have raised Sh595,747.”

Mrs Dunia Mohamed Ahmed, the widow, described her husband’s death as a blow to the family since he was the only breadwinner.

“I saw him last November when schools closed only to receive news of his death in January. I am confused,” said the teary 29-year-old widow.

The donations have been handed over to the late Salah’s family and the activist has urged well-wishers to continue sending donations to support the young children’s education and basic needs.

“We have opened a bank account for the widow with Kenya Commercial Bank so that every shilling that comes in is not wasted but be used by the children,” said Mr Derrow.