Starting Wednesday, September 25, 2013, the President of the Republic of Kenya declared three days of national mourning, following the horrific tragedy that unfolded from Saturday 21st – Tuesday 24th before the eyes of the whole world at the high end Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi.

The tragedy brought out some of the best in humanity, as displayed by the Kenyan people. They united as one in spontaneous response to confront evil—from the multi-pronged arms of the security apparatuses, to the civil defense and just ordinary civilians (the wanainchi), who braved it all to confront evil incarnate, which indiscriminately unleashed unimaginable terror on young and old, male and female alike, regardless of color or creed. When the thick black smoke that was witnessed a day to the final securing of the complex began to subside, and the President announced the end of the siege, three floors of the shopping mall had caved in. The world would later see the pictures that emerged—cars fallen through to the ground floor, others on cliffhangers, so to speak, as though they were toys. One could only imagine the horror that had taken place. The nation is still coming to terms with just what happened. Official reports put the death toll as at the time of securing the shopping mall at a little over 60 innocent civilian lives and 6 gallant members of the defense forces. With the start of forensic investigations immediately following, the nation and the world waits to ascertain precisely what had happened. Meanwhile, people who are directly affected so deeply, mostly Kenyans, but including other nationalities around the world, are mourning their dead and/or nursing physical and deep psychological wounds. 

The tragedy, as it unfolded, indeed brought out some of the best in humanity. CCTV clips revealed right in the thick of it all, the synergy displayed between the multi-pronged arms of the security apparatuses, the Red Cross, the civil defense, and ordinary civilians. Rescuers shepherded people caught up in the mayhem to safety and ferried others to hospital. The clips of two men inside the mall, with outstretched arms urging on a toddler to reach for safety, a security officer clutching his weapon in one hand and a baby in the other, as he ferried it to safety, the long queues of people at several centers,  who responded to the call to donate blood, until the blood banks could take no more, the generous giving of the people through the Kenyan innovation of mobile phone banking, which ran into millions of Shillings within a few hours, are just a few examples of what I mean. 

In sober reflection at a time such as this, the words of the Irish statesman, Edmund Burke (1729 – 1797) comes to mind, namely “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” As members of the World Reformed Fellowship (WRF) and indeed all who know the Lord Jesus Christ around the world, we mourn with the people of Kenyaand urge fervent prayer for God’s comfort and healing at national and personal levels; for wisdom for civil and religious leaders in forging peace and unity. Let us urge on the promotion of the agenda of the Prince of peace wherever His providence has placed us— in our communities, our nations and the world at large, in the face of unrelenting evil. Let us actively promote or “pursue what makes for peace” (Rom.14:19).

A NATION IN MOURNING (by WRF Board Member This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)  

September 26, 2013