Plaque unveiled in memory of 67 killed

Ms Faith Njoki who lost her husband Christopher Chewa in the Westgate terrorist attack was Sunday with her children Edwin Kennedy and Gloria Chewa during the memorial ceremony at Karura Forest in Nairobi. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • “My son died at the prime of his life, just after he finished college. It is difficult to come to terms with it, but my family and I have learnt that if we do not forgive those who killed Chrispal and all those other people at Westgate, then the attack will eat at us and we shall be unable to move on,” he added.
  • The memorial started with a 10-kilometre walk inside the 2,500 acre forest. According to the organisers, more than 5,000 people turned up for the event, each paying between Sh400 and Sh500 that will be used to maintain Amani Gardens.
  • Eastleigh has witnessed a series of grenade attacks after the Westgate terrorist attack, one of the worst in Kenya.

Thousands of Kenyans gathered in Nairobi Sunday to mark a year since 67 people were killed in the Westgate terrorist attack.

During the ceremony organised by Friends of Karura Forest, friends and relatives of the deceased led those in attendance in paying respect to the departed. The memorial culminated in the unveiling of a plaque bearing the names of all the victims at Karura Forest.

Sixty-seven trees were planted in memory of those who died. A tag bearing the name of each of the victims stood next to the trees, making it easy for the relatives to identify the trees planted in honour of their relatives.

Families planted red and white roses beside the trees, turning the garden into a riot of colour.

“These trees were planted in October last year,” said Prof Karanja Njoroge, chairman of Friends of Karura. “We planted them because the attack on Westgate was not an attack on individuals, but an attack on Kenyans. So Amani Gardens, which is what we are calling this memorial, will be a showcase of just how important it is for Kenyans to work together to protect the common good and peace.”

He added that the Amani Garden initiative was entirely supported by volunteers.

Also present at the event was Kenya Red Cross secretary-general Abbas Gullet, who praised the Kenyan spirit of togetherness that has stood the country in good stead during moments of crisis.

“During the Westgate attack, Kenyans turned up in their thousands to offer whatever support they could to those affected by the tragedy. They donated more than 17,000 pints of blood and Sh150 million in support of the victims,” he said.

The funds, he added, were used to pay hospital bills for the injured and to set up three counselling centres in Nairobi for those who bear emotional wounds from the terror attack.

“It is very heartwarming to see so many people come out to help us remember our loved ones who died at Westgate,” said Mr Charles Njenga, the father of Chrispal Gaitung’u, who was killed in the attack.

THE ATTACK WILL EAT US

“My son died at the prime of his life, just after he finished college. It is difficult to come to terms with it, but my family and I have learnt that if we do not forgive those who killed Chrispal and all those other people at Westgate, then the attack will eat at us and we shall be unable to move on,” he added.

The memorial started with a 10-kilometre walk inside the 2,500 acre forest. According to the organisers, more than 5,000 people turned up for the event, each paying between Sh400 and Sh500 that will be used to maintain Amani Gardens.

In Eastleigh, residents held a peaceful demonstration to mark one year after the Westgate attack as a show of unity with victims.

In their hundreds, and regardless of religious, tribal or political affiliation, the residents signed a peace accord to mark the end of the procession as a sign that they are committed to living in peace.

Eastleigh has witnessed a series of grenade attacks after the Westgate terrorist attack, one of the worst in Kenya.

The residents marched on First Avenue from St Theresa’s Catholic Church, one of the places where attacks have occurred and where seven people died after a public service vehicle was attacked in November 2012.

“We have come together to speak against terrorism,” said Mr Nicholas Oyoo, the leader of a community organisation.

To combat terrorism in the area, different organisations have come together to campaign against religious extremism.