Kenya: The delicate removal of a bullet lodged in Satrin Osinya’s head represents the triumph of the human spirit over adversity.
Nothing has encapsulated the tragedy, murder, cruelty, despair and senselessness of mass murder like the spate of terror attacks at the Coast.
A crushing pain seared through the hearts of many on seeing the innocence in the eyes of Satrin as he cried from the pain in his head.
Yet Satrin’s quick recovery offers us hope over despair and triumph over adversity. His smile after the surgery warmed the hearts of many who could connect emotionally with the ordeal. For a week, the 18-month-old baby held the attention of the nation after gun-wielding thugs stormed a church and mauled hapless faithful.
Even as Satrin recovers, the sad realisation that he will grow up without a mother is an indication of the how deep the scars go. And he is not alone in this. Many households bear the brunt of this mindless violence.
It was comforting that Satrin brought the country together as a family. And no less a person than President Uhuru Kenyatta mentioned him in his annual address to Parliament last week.
The success of the surgery offers a moment of pride to the country because Satrin’s survival had 50-50 chance. And therefore, the team led by Dr Chris Musau deserves commendation for a good job well done. At The Standard Group, we appreciate the outpouring of grief and emotion about Satrin’s situation. We stand for Kenya. Reflecting on the happenings last week, it is tempting to rationalise the causes of terror.
Granted, most of the attacks have happened at the Coast, which is predominantly Muslim. There are those who would like to look at it as a consequence of youth radicalisation especially in areas with high poverty levels like at the Coast who feel left out of the national equation. Who because they have nothing to live for, feel nothing about killing, maiming and destroying life and livelihoods.
There are also those who would like to see the spate of terror attacks as evidence dereliction of duty by those manning the security docket. Thus, they see the attacks as an indictment of our security system; from the intelligence gathering, border control and immigration to policing. They might be right.
Tonight, many families will close their gates and doors and sleep not knowing whether they will see tomorrow. Millions others will visit shopping malls, supermarkets or board vehicles hoping they will emerge from it all in one piece.
Security cannot be left to an act of God by any means. Neither is it helpful not to point out those in our midst hellbent on causing mayhem. As pointed out earlier in the week, terrorists live in a community. They have families, neighbours and names. Who are they? We say those who give the merchants safety are as evil the killers themselves.
