‘Standard’ gives Sh2m to terror victims

Mombasa, Kenya:  The Standard Group has donated Sh2.2 million to survivors of the March 23 Likoni church gun attack in which six people died and 18 others were injured.

The media house captured global attention with its coverage of the terrorist attack with enduring images of 18-month-old Satrin Osinya who was struck in the head by a bullet that also killed his mother as she shielded him with her body.

Surgeons successfully removed the bullet at the Kenyatta National Hospital and the boy is recovering.

Kenya Red Cross Deputy Secretary General Asha Mohamed said in Mombasa yesterday that each  survivor would take home Sh110,000 and the rest would be paid to families that lost their relatives in the attack.

Ms Mohamed said some of the money would be used to pay medical bills and psychological social support programmes.

“This donation reminds us that the Standard Group remains a brother’s keeper because of the suffering the people experienced during the incident,” she said.

DRUG BARONS

Mombasa County Commissioner Nelson Marwa alleged that drug barons were behind terrorism activities in Mombasa.

He accused leaders of declining to talk openly about the increased drugs trade in the county.

“There was an intervention by Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho and Mwembe Tayari but nothing more has happened,” he noted.

The county commissioner also took issue with leaders in Mombasa, accusing them of recruiting the youth during public rallies to heckle others.

Mr Marwa also pointed out that President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto donated Sh2 million to the Likoni attack victims while Joho donated Sh1 million.

Mombasa County Speaker Thadeus Rajwayi said the money could never be enough but was meant to console both victims and the relatives of those who lost their lives in the attack.

“The money each one of you has received is not equal to the person you lost in the attack. This is just a way to say sorry for what you went through,” he said.

He called on Mombasa residents to report anything that seemed unusual to the police.