Grenade nips worshipper's dreams in the bud

By GRACE WEKESALast Sunday was the darkest day for the family of Kevin Walumbe. The 27-year-old Kevin had gone to God’s House of Miracles International Church in Ngara to worship as he did every Sunday. But this was to be his last day on earth.A few hours after entering the church, Kevin lay dead while 16 others were injured in a grenade attack in the church.Kevin, a Fourth Year student at Mt Kenya University, was studying for a Commerce degree and was planning to marry his fiancÈe after graduating in December, something he was looking forward to.His brother, Keith Walumbe, says last Saturday, the day before that fateful incident, Kevin visited a younger brother who owns a barbershop in Ngara and had his hair shaved. Thereafter, they spent the rest of the day chatting. It didn’t occur to the brothers that that was the last time they were together.Why our family"This is so sad. My brother has gone too soon before he could celebrate what he had toiled for many years (graduating),’’ says grieving Keith. He says Kevin woke up as usual that Sunday and went to church as he often did. He sat on a chair near the podium. As the service was going on, something like a stone was thrown and it fell on Kevin’s chair. Before anyone would do anything, the grenade exploded.The church informed a cousin, who is also Kevin’s neighbour, and he immediately called Keith to break the sad news."It was shattering. I keep asking, ‘Why Kevin? Why our family?’" he says struggling to control choking tears.The sudden death of Kevin has opened wounds of sorrow in the family that lost their father two months ago. "Before we heal and overcome the sorrow, we are again in mourning," says Keith slowly, painfully.Hundreds of friends turned to Facebook and posted messages on Kevin’s wall. Mathews Wanjala wrote, "Is it true or a nightmare? Rest in peace, brother. I am saddened by the bad news.’’Lordrick Mayabi posted: "I had the privilege of knowing you and your funny side at Chesamis High School. RIP comrade."Wangari Mwangale wrote: "So warm, cordial and respectful. Loving Jesus and wanting to do his will. RIP Kevo."Another wrote: "Your sun shall neither go down nor your moon withdraw itself, for the Lord will be your everlasting light and days of mourning shall end."Friends described him as "a great gentleman, industrious and believer. You kept it real and may God keep your soul’’.Keith says the Government has not communicated with them on the matter or indicated whether the family will be compensated for their loss.The body was transported to his village in Lutonyi village in Kimilili, Bungoma County, yesterday and the burial will be tomorrow. This latest attack brings to focus issues to do with security of Kenyans. If a place of worship is not a safe haven, some have asked, where will we hide from the terrorists?Sustained attacksLast October, two similar incident stook place at Mwaura’s, a city bar, and OTC. Four people were killed at Mwaura’s while one died at the OTC incident, and many more were injured. Two months ago, multiple grenade attacks took place at Machakos Bus Station in Nairobi. The attackers threw four grenades seven metres apart. When they were done, seven people lay dead while more than 40 were injured. A month ago, two simultaneous grenade attacks in Mtwapa and Mombasa left one dead and ten seriously injured.The attacks that have caused panic and fear among Kenyans, have been linked to the Somali terror group, Al Shabaab.The attacks started rocking the country last year after Kenya sent the military to Somalia to fight off the Al Shabaab who are believed to be hitting back by targeting innocent Kenyans.According to eyewitnesses, the attacker went to the church posing as worshipper before lobbing the grenade. As the family mourns, the suspect is still at large.

Grenade nips worshipper's dreams in the bud

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