By Lonah Kibet
Four-year-old Onesmus Muthui sits outside Garissa Provincial Hospital Mortuary with his grandfather Joseph Mwatha dazed by his surrounding. He does not comprehend why there are many strange people with sad faces around.
He tells The Standard that his mother was in church worshipping when a loud explosion occurred.
He probably thinks he will find his mother and little sister home when his grandfather finally gets him out of this place.
But the truth is, Muthui’s mother and sister died in last Sunday’s terror attack at the African Inland Church in Garissa while worshippers were praising and glorifying God.
Four maked goons shot at the worshippers indiscriminately and then hurled grenades at them, killing 17 and injuring more than 60.
“He doesn’t know his mother is dead. He is telling people that his mother was in church when the loud explosion occurred,” says Mwatha, the boy’s grieving grandfather.
But to be strong for his grandson, Mwatha tries his best to hide his sorrow. Sometimes, however, he is overcome and lets the tears flow. Muthui’s mother, Everlyne Ngina, was Mwatha’s beloved niece, who was an orphan.
Mwatha and the others at the morgue waiting to view bodies of their loved ones have many questions whose answers might help ease the pain of loss.
safest haven
For example, they would like to know why a place of worship was targeted. A church is supposed to be a sanctuary, the safest haven in times of turbulence. But, it seems, that was not the case last Sunday.
And on that Sunday, Muthui’s mother, Ngina, and his infant sister, who was only a few months old, were in the church praying.
