This couldn't be happening!! I had posted on my Facebook page about 70 innocent lives having been lost in a massacre in a University in Garissa as reported on the 7.00 pm news. Barely 2 hours later, the death toll had risen to a staggering 147 so far.
This massacre of 147 innocents at Garissa University could have happened at any of our universities, colleges or schools spread across Kenya. As a father of a university student I am shocked to the core that so many young, aspiring, bright Kenyans have lost their lives so needlessly.
We shall never know how many of those killed so callously would have turned into brilliant surgeons, engineers, economists, accountants, bankers, designers and so on their dreams shattered and no more through a cowardly bullet or a suicide bombers vest.
Today I dedicate this blog to those innocent students and others who have lost their lives in Garissa and I reproduce comments by my friends as they condole with those who have been bereaved.
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We need to pray.... Go down on our knees and pray for our beloved country Kenya. Our hearts weep for the needless loss of innocent lives.... 147 lives snuffed out, and for what?? My son asked that we pray for God to not let those "bad men" come to Nairobi... and when we said our prayers he was specific "God, please do not let those bad men come to our school or to Nairobi"...
I wanted to curl up into a small ball and weep for my country, but I know there is more power when we are on our knees. When we stand in the gap on behalf of our land.... let us come together and pray even as we mourn with those who have been affected by this vicious act... let us pray for our leadership, our president and his deputy, and our armed forces as they come out in defence of our country. Let us pray that God would grant them wisdom, and equip them with every good thing that they need to fight this monster called terrorism, to defend us.
For those who have lost their loved ones, that God would grant them grace, peace and comfort during this time. That the souls of those who were slain would rest in eternal peace.
And let us pray for ourselves, for the wisdom to know that our security starts with us, that we can make a difference when we take responsibility for our security, and the grace to take up that responsibility without excuses. Kenya is you and me.... let us light a candle for the 147....
-Annie Kirumba, Nairobi, Kenya
'Lord as I watch and enjoy this sunset I pray for the families in Kenya that have been affected by the attack at Garissa Univ and ask for A PEACE that passes all understanding!!! Amen!'
-Katuu Mwanzia Alleyne, Barbados
Today we lost 147 innocent Kenyan Citizens mostly students.May Wahe Guru rest their souls in peace. May He protect us and console the families of the hurt and departed. POLE CRY MY BELOVED COUNTRY CRY.Then rise in unity
- Rajesh Mahan
He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign LORD will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The LORD has spoken! (Isaiah 25:8 NLT. Dear Lord, on this sad and distressful day, this is our Prayer. Come to our rescue and protect us from evil men and evil spirits. In Jesus name, Amen.
- Sam Atandi
So many senseless deaths in the Garissa massacre in eastern Kenya - hatred can never be justified as a belief system... Violence dehumises the perpetrator more than it does the [innocent] victim
- Mugendi K M'Riitha, Cape Town
With my colleagues we came to console our colleague xxxxxxxxx who lost her daughter.
-Snr. Njeri Mungai
1. If you must share images of blood and bodies do not tag me and do not share with me using any platform #OneKenya
2. My sincere condolences to all those who lost loved ones as they sought a better future for themselves and Society #OneKenya
3. Let the Police Recruits report to college. Sometimes, a Nation must choose to be progressive & reject unnecessary pauses #OneKenya
4.There was a major improvement in the coordination of rescue efforts today #OneKenya
5. To those who survived and got injuries, to you I offer a sincere prayer and best wishes for a speedy recovery #OneKenya
6. To You, (you representing each of us), my challenge is that you heed the timeless call to respond to Terror with courage, unshakable resolve & optimism,do not flinch #OneKenya
7. Finally, O God Of All Creation, Bless This Land and Nation #OneKenya
-Dennis Itumbi
Numb. Just numb
-Waruguru Wa Kiai
Day 1 of Bible verse challenge. May the Lord watch over our country Kenya
-Jackie Kitulu
147 dead!!! I condemn this al shabaab terrorists! Shame on you!! Why attack unarmed children? YOU ARE COWARDS AND DESERVE TO DIE EXTREMELY PAINFUL DEATHS #GarrisaAttack
-Margie Syekonyo
God help us! Garissa Siege. 147 confirmed dead. Too painful to bear. God Almighty come to our rescue. This is tragic and a big loss to this Nation.
-KNUT, Nyeri
No one was meant to die this way....very sad indeed....
-Tejinder Rihal
May their souls find peace n salvation .
-Jessica Pattni
As we remember the Garissa massacre by these cowards may we be more vigilant n lrt nobody put a wedge btwn Xtians n Muslims in Kenya.
-Karungo Njoroge
It's a sad day in Kenya. 147 young people have been robbed of their precious lives. #GarissaAttack #PrayForKenya http://t.co/r8eRlRY7Oi
-Isaac Kalua
A very sad day for Kenya. Garissa University siege ends and the death toll rises to 147 people. May their souls rest in eternal peace and may the Almighty grant those poor families all the strength they need to come to terms with this horrific, heinous, criminal and wholly barbaric act of terrorism. Our condolences and prayers go out to all affected
~ Alliance Reallty
Condolences to the families who lost loved ones..
-Margaret Muthio Mbaluka
Today I weep for our beloved country, and for the unborn child. May the Most High have mercy on us, as we mourn the senseless massacre of innocent lives in Garissa.
-Larry Kimani
Day 20... As we pray for Kenya let's stand on this verse
2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
-Njeri Muturi
Have a Blessed Easter. May God grant us peace even as we pray for and mourn with our Kenyan families in Garissa
-Mugo Gath
My heart goes out to the families of our children in Garissa. Jehova take over this situation.....In prayer...very sad indeed!
-Ndutz Flo
They will Never Win! Together in grief
-Gatonye Mukami
147 lives lost, I am stunned and lost for words! My heart goes out to all those who lost their loved ones and wish the injured a speedy recovery. A sad day indeed for Kenya.
-Ali Mwangola
Praying for Kenya. Praying for world peace.
For those who lost their lives in Garissa, may your souls rest in eternal peace.
And for your families and friends, may the Lord comfort you.
Terrorism needs to end already!
-Eva Kubai, USA
More than double the Westgate toll and 223 still missing. It's a sombre start to Easter. I agree with the President's order, however illegal, to get on with the police recruitment. He must also dramatically upscale the resources available. Including offensive air cover, (giving the IG control over KWS helicopters is a start but even KWS often has to hire private choppers, a sign that they are not well resourced). When will you save your people? O Lord of mercy, when?
-Joe Gichuki
In the middle of this tranquility and peace that I find myself in, let me take a moment to condole with the families of the victims of the brutal and cowardly attack on #GarissaUniversity. May God grant you peace and understanding.
-Munene Patrick Mathenge
Oh My God.. 147 lives lost in the #GarissaAttack.. My heart in pain... God see us through.. And giv my president courage to keep leading from the fore front.. And together we shall conquer... Peace Peace Peace....
-Ngatia Thuku
Worse than West gate.
My friend says "The hue and cry will be negligible though....Garissa is not Westgate".
I pray & cry now as I did then.
Amen. Amen.
-Caroline Mutoko
Its deja vu all over again.Yet more senseless killing of innocent people. Prayers for our country!!!
-Mary Angela Mwangi McCorkle, Atlanta
Very tragic
-Rosemary Wainaina
Woi.... Pole sana to my fellow beloved Kenyans.
-Lillian Covington,Chicago
Very sad indeed. Innocent lives have been lost. Sad day for Kenya.
-Moses Karanu
Tragic
-David Mambo
Dangerous trend
-Fred Odhiambo
Shocked beyond comprehension.
-Nicholus Mureithi
As my heart grieves with the families who have lost their loved ones united in grief over this tragedy, may these prayers together with those of the other millons of people across the world grant us the peace our country so desparately needs AMEN!
