Brave teen who cheered up horrified policemen

By Collins Kweyu

The soldiers holding guns at the Westgate mall did not throw Priyma Sharma, 14, into a panic.

Instead, she mingled freely with shaken policemen. They considered her a heroine, a ‘big hearted little girl’. The bond was one of a kind.

Since the attack occurred on September 21, Sharma camped at the accident scene, serving tea and snacks to the police and sometimes journalists.

When The Nairobian caught up with her, Sharma and her mother, Shobha Sharma had just finished serving tea and were busy putting back utensils at the awaiting military truck.

It is with instant appeal to see mother and daughter sacrifice their time to give ‘strangers’ a leg up.

For the few days since the attack, little Sharma absconded school to do what she loves best — help those in need.

“This tragedy knows no colour, tribe, race, religion, class or age and that is why I am here. You never know, today it is you and tomorrow it might be me. If I don’t help, who will help me when my I am in same predicament?” Sharma, who is a year 10 student at Braeburn School, told The Nairobian.

Her mother, Shobha said there was need for Kenyans to support each other during calamities. 

“The unity we have had since this incident shows Kenyans can help each other not only during good times but also during disasters. Most of the foreign journalists have told me they have never seen such a united people,” Sharma told The Nairobian.

As we left the scene, one thing was for sure, the little Kenyan of Asian origin girl was a rare gem.