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By:
Harrison Maina | |||||||||
| Posted:
Apr,15-2015 13:31:56
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Lowell, Mass--Close to 100 Kenyan nationals joined by Lowell mayor, Rodney Eliot held a candle light vigil Sunday in honor of the 148 students slain recently by Al-Shabab terrorists at the Garissa University in North eastern Kenya. The event took place at the JFK Plaza next to Lowell City hall with several Kenyan and Ugandan clergymen in attendance to lead in prayers. Grim faced men and women listened attentively as speaker after speaker lambasted the heinous crime committed upon their fellow citizens in the motherland in the name of religion. According to most speakers, the majority of most Christians and Muslims in Kenya and east Africa have co-existed together in harmony for many years, only for the peace to be robbed by the recent string of terror attacks. The Kenyans urged the government to figure out how to plug the apparent security lapses that led to the extremely high death count, barely one year after 67 Kenyans perished at the hands of Al-Shabab in eerily similar circumstances at the West gate Mall. "I am here to stand with Kenyans in Lowell and back in the motherland at this most difficult time. We in the city of Lowell wish all those who lost their loved ones a quick healing and peace," said Mayor Eliot. "It's very unfortunate that the money to finance these killings is coming from right here in USA. Out government should do everything possible to stop this as we cannot bear to lose any more of our children," said one woman speaking on behalf of Kenyan mothers. Several Kenyan community clergymen present to show solidarity with the victims of the attack included the chairman of the Kenyan American Pastors Fellowship (KAPF), Arch Deacon Peter Gachathi, Bishop Joshua Wambua of the Rapture Harvest Ministries International, Rev. Dr. Francis Gikonyo of the Kenyan Anglican church and also the New England Kenyan Welfare Association ( Nekwa) Rev. Joseph Waiyaki , Secretary of KAPF and member of Nekwa, Arch Deacon Samuel Kimohu of St. Stephens church, Rev. Carl- Phillip Kihato as well as an Imam representing the Muslim Kenyan Community in Boston. Rev. John Baker Katende and Pastor Frank Mwebesa of the Ugandan community Global Evangelical church in Boston also attended on behalf of Uganda, Kenya's neighbor to the west that has also suffered several terrorist attacks from Al Shabab. Tony Mithiga, a Kenyan student in Boston led the Kenyans present in observing a moment of silence before the names of the 148 students who died in the attack were led by several young Kenyans. It ended with a candle lighting ceremony and prayers by Rev. Jpseph Waiyaki as Kenyans memorialized the unprecedented deaths. The event was organized by several Kenyans including Sam Mwaura of Samrack, David Ikanyi, Bishop Wambua and several members of the New England Kenyan Diaspora Council. Peter Thuo Karugu served as the master of ceremonies. Another vigil combining the Garissa Attacks and the one year anniversary of the Chibok High School girls abducted by Boko Haram militants in Nigeria will take place this evening at the Boston Commons starting 5pm. The event has been organized by African students at Harvard, MIT, BU and Northeastern Universities as well as the Nigerian Association of Greater Lowell in partnership with the New England Kenyan Welfare Association. According to organizers, the exact venue of the vigil is at the Boston Commons towards the State House end near the Brewer Fountain which is located right by the Park Street T Greenline T-stop. It can also be easily accessed via the Orange Line to Downtown Crossing, walk up Winter St, or via the Green or Red Line to Park St. FULL EVENT PICS COMING SOON.... | |||||||||
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Source:
Ajabu Africa News
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