Anger as terror victims buried

By Felix Olick And Paul Mutua

Clouds of gloom hung over Mwingi town as thousands of residents, MPs, and Government officials turned up for the requiem service for victims of the grenade and gun attacks in Garissa.

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka led MPs from Ukambani in the emotional Mass before the victims were later buried in their homes.

Tears flowed freely from the grief-stricken relatives and friends as the ten coffins were lowered from the lorry at the Musila Gardens in Mwingi town, on Tuesday.

The region was the most hit by the July 1 tragedy since out of the 17 people who died, 14 were from Mwingi.

Out of the ten bodies in the caskets donated by the State were those of two children, Mwikali Makau, and Mary Mwende.

They had gone to worship at the African Inland Church when masked gunmen sprayed bullets and hurled grenades at the flock.

And just to ensure the Al Shabaab militia that is blamed for the tragedy is kept at bay, security was heightened at the grounds.

In a rare show of unity, religious leaders from across the faiths sat together to demystify that the attack was a religious fight pitying Muslims and Christians.

ITEERE CRITICISED 

However, leaders took the opportunity to criticise the Government for failing to protect Kenyans.

Mwingi South MP David Musila called on Police Commissioner Mathews Iteere to take responsibility for the killings.

He said it was unfortunate that after numerous attacks in different parts of the country, none of the culprits had been jailed for shedding the blood of innocent Kenyans.

“It is sad that many people have died but up to now the Police Commissioner cannot tell us even one person who has been arrested and taken to jail for killing people. If you can’t protect Kenyans, pave way for somebody else to do it,” claimed Musila.

Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo insisted that Kenyan Defence Forces should be allowed to take charge of internal security instead of pursuing the Al Shabaab in Somalia.

Presidential aspirant Mutava Musyimi urged the Government to bring the investigation to its logical end.

“Even in 2008, people died and there was no Al Shabaab. The Government must get to the root of this matter so that we know whether politics is also involved,” he insisted.

However, Kalonzo defended the Government from the accusations, saying that even during the incident two police officers were on standby.

Kalonzo maintained the Government cannot provide 100 per cent security to 40 million people and urged for extra vigilance.

“We should stop the blame game and inciting our people. The Government had given security to protect the churches. It was unfortunate that they were overpowered and also killed by the militants,” said Kalonzo.

religious harmony 

He said Christians should not be cowed by the attacks, adding that the Constitution guarantees all Kenyans the freedom of worship.

Muslim and Christian clerics have united in calling for calm and tolerance. Last Sunday, Muslim religious leaders also patrolled with the police officers in Garissa and some could be spotted at the entrance of the churches. Supkem Garissa branch Chairman Abdullain Salat said the move was in solidarity with their Christian brothers.

At the Coast clerics met top security officials nad vowed to join the anti-terror war.

Al Shabba militia operating in Smoalia has been blamed for most of the attacks and Kenya military is still pursuing them in Somalia.