City residents hold peaceful demo, condemn agents of terror

Residents of Nairobi’s Eastleigh estate yesterday held a peaceful procession in solidarity with survivors of the Westgate terror attack.

Led by the Eastleigh Residents Community Association Chairman Hussein Roba, they condemned those who use Islam to propagate terror.

“The commemoration of the Westgate attack coincides with the International Day for Peace and we want to emphasise that Eastleigh is a peaceful place. We live with people of all religions and have no link to Al-Shabaab terror group. Criminals come to hide here but we are working on restoring the name of Eastleigh that has been tarnished in the past,” said Mr Roba.

He pointed out that Muslims were also affected in the Westgate attack.

Different forums

The community leaders pointed out that different forums and activities have been and continue to be organised to bring the youth of Eastleigh together.

Speaking during the procession, the area MP Yusuf Hassan called on Eastleigh residents to live in peace.

“We should respect each other’s preferences, be it religion, or politics and ethnicity,” said Mr Hassan.

Kennedy Isigi, the chairman of Kamukunji Sub-County Peace Committee, pointed out that the communities in and around Eastleigh were working with local police officers to ensure that the peace that has prevailed in the area in the last few months lasts.

“We are working with organisations such as Usalama Reforms Forum and the Global Community to promote peace and show the rest of the country that we are a community of peace,” Mr Isigi added. During the procession, the youth carried placards with messages of peace and called against radicalisation.