Glowing tributes flow as kin, friends hold prayers for six killed in attack

Family and friends of staff of tech firm Cellulant who were killed in the terrorist attack at 14 Riverside Drive last Tuesday attend a memorial service in their honour at Christ is the Answer Ministry on January 22, 2019. PHOTO | CELLULANT

What you need to know:

  • About 21 people killed in the 14 Riverside Drive terrorist attack on January 15.

  • Cellulant Group CEO Ken Njoroge praised the fallen staff as dedicated personnel, who delivered in their respective departments.

  • Leaders and civil society activists in Mombasa, too, hold inter-religious prayers for Cellulant Six.

Six Cellulant employees killed in last week’s terror attack, were Tuesday eulogised by family, colleagues and friends at an emotional memorial service in Nairobi.

The funeral service at Christ is The Answer Ministry (Citam) Church, Valley Road, which was attended by over 800 mourners, was dominated by glowing tributes to the staff, who were among 21 others killed in the 14 Riverside Drive terrorist attack on January 15.

In Mombasa, leaders and human rights group Haki Africa held inter-religious prayers in memory of the victims of the terrorist attack. They urged Kenyans to remain united in the face of such adversity.

The Citam service was presided over by Nairobi Chapel and Ngong Road Senior Pastor Nick Korir. Clergy from different denominations across the country also took part in the ceremony, which trended on social media on the hashtag #CellulantBrave6.

Cellulant Group CEO Ken Njoroge praised the fallen staff as dedicated personnel, who delivered in their respective departments.

He described Mr Mwaniki, who joined the company in 2018, as the brains behind the firm’s data security.

Mr Ndiritu and Mr Gitonga were working on a platform upgrade to increase customer numbers.

“Despite all the darkness, the team has been supportive to the family emotionally and has been there for them,” the CEO said.

CARING COLLEAGUE

Mr Maina’s aunt, Ms Agnes Makumi, recounted how she tried to reach her nephew several times when she heard of the attack, without success, only to be told later that he had lost his life.

“This is a dark moment for the family as we have lost a friendly person who had a pure, unassuming and caring heart. He was to turn 36 on January 17,” she said.

His colleague of 11 years, Mr Alex Kimani, described Mr Maina as a logical thinker, adding that he had a premonition about the attack, having earlier discussed with another colleague what to do in case of a terrorist attack.

Mr Mwaniki’s maternal uncle, Mr Peter Njagi, and his cousin Michael Mutugi eulogised him as a selfless person who put the happiness and lives of others before his.

“He is survived by a wife a wife, Maria, whom he had just got married to five months ago,” Mr Mutugi said.

Mr Mbaria’s cousin, Mr Anthony Mwangi, described him as the family’s anchor and one who was there for everyone. He left behind a wife of five years and a daughter.

Mr Ndiritu has left behind a daughter and was to celebrate his birthday today.

Elsewhere, security forces yesterday allowed motorists who parked their vehicles at the DusitD2 complex before the attack to collect them.

Tenants who had property inside the complex have also been allowed to get into their offices and take their belongings, which include documents and electronics.

Only those who proved to have been working there were allowed in.

For motorists, security officers checked their logbooks and driving licences. However, those who did not register their cars at the entrance before the terrorist attack were asked to wait.

“I left my motorcycle at the gate when I heard a loud bang and ran away on foot. The security personnel at the gate did not let anyone to go in, so I could not take my motorcycle,” a bodaboda rider, Mr Francis Musyoka said.

LAY WREATHS

Most vehicles were in good condition since the whole complex remained under police guard, but there were also those that had their windows broken and tyres flattened.

“I am relieved to have my car back. I have been worried about it the whole week,” Ms Cynthia Oketch said.

At exactly 3pm same as the time the attack began, the public was allowed to lay wreaths near the entrance to the complex in honour of those who lost their lives.

During the prayers in Mombasa leaders, among them Mombasa Deputy Governor William Kingi, condemned the attack, terming it a cowardly act not based on religion.

“There is no religion which condones or allows killing of innocent people. These are just cowards who decided to kill innocent civilians,” he said.

Mvita MP Abdulswamad Shariff urged Kenyans to remain united and denied that the act was based on religion.

Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki asked parents to use the human rights groups to report cases of missing children suspected to have been lured into crime.

“Many youths have been taken to Somalia. What is in Somalia? Let us ensure that our children are not taken there.