News from Nairobi

We Stand United
By James Chege, librarian
Maryknoll Institute for African Studies

Terrorism reared its ugly head again in Kenya when one of Nairobi’s up-market shopping malls, Westgate, was attacked by what is thought to be militants from the notorious Somalia-based al-Shabab terror group.

What followed was a four-day siege involving local and foreign security forces working hand in hand to bring the attack and hostage situation to an end. Reports from the government put the death toll at 76 with hundreds more injured. Fortunately, none of the staff or students at MIASMU, CTIE and Tangaza University College lost their lives or were injured in the attack. Also, as far as is known, no members of the staff and students’ extended families were directly affected by the tragic events.

We are most grateful to our many friends and concerned individuals from Saint Mary’s University who inquired as to our safety and well-being. We also thank all those who remembered Kenya in their prayers in that difficult moment and continue to do so as many Kenyan families struggle to come to terms with the loss of loved ones.