Kenia ligt ver weg
Al die knallen, ze dachten nog aan een 1 aprilgrap, de studenten op de universiteitscampus in Garissa.
Maar het werd de bloedigste terreuraanslag in Kenia sinds 15 jaar. Zeker 147 studenten vonden de dood bij een aanval van islamitische extremisten van de Somalische terreurbeweging al-Shabaab. De terroristen doodden twee bewakers en probeerden daarna simpelweg zoveel mogelijk studenten te vermoorden. Ze droegen hen op uit hun kamers op de campus te komen. Dan zouden ze niet worden gedood. De meesten gaven gehoor aan de oproep. En werden doodgeschoten. Student Omar Ibrahim overleefde de aanval. “We zagen vele, vele lichamen. Sommige hadden geen hoofden. Ik weet niet waarom mensen zoiets doen.” Honderdzevenenveertig. Gelukkig ligt Kenia ver weg. En de nieuwswaarde – iedere student journalistiek leert dat – is het aantal doden gedeeld door de afstand. Maar niet op Twitter. Twitter brengt alles dichtbij. Edith Honan, correspondent van persbureau Reuters in Kenia, is begonnen aan een 147 tweets tellend project. Wie waren die 147 studenten? Hoe heetten ze? Hoe zagen ze eruit? Waar droomden ze van? En van wie hielden ze? Raar, hoe weinig er voor nodig is om iets zó dichtbij te brengen.
Ebby Omari, 20, died in Garissa. “She was a jovial girl. She liked staying home with her mom and visiting friends.” (No picture available) — Edith Honan (@edithhonan) 7 april 2015
Beatrice Njeri Thinwa, 20, died in Garissa. She hoped to get a phd, loved taking pictures & “she loved Kenny Rogers” pic.twitter.com/QhQZIep0aq — Edith Honan (@edithhonan) 7 april 2015
Susan Othwila, 23, died in Garissa. 1 of 3 girls, loved volleyball, football. She was short but strong. “We loved her very much.” (no pic) — Edith Honan (@edithhonan) 7 april 2015
Mildred Yondo, 18, died in Garissa. She excelled at theater, loved music. Charismatic outspoken. Loved to eat mangoes pic.twitter.com/5NMErVIsfe — Edith Honan (@edithhonan) 7 april 2015
Alice Mbete Mulu, 21, died in Garissa. She wanted to be a teacher, she was great at volleyball, liked to read the Bible and storybooks — Edith Honan (@edithhonan) 6 april 2015
That’s her. This painful. RIP Janet #147notjustanumber pic.twitter.com/O8TtamZ5QC — Kenya West© (@KinyanBoy) 5 april 2015
Gideon Mwakulegwa, 21, died in Garissa. He loved football, to dance, to sing. “He was my bro, I’ll never replace him” pic.twitter.com/9z7YknfZAb — Edith Honan (@edithhonan) 6 april 2015
Erick Gwaro Kombo, 22, missing from Garissa “He was a gentleman and a humble person” Loved football, Christian activities (no pic available) — Edith Honan (@edithhonan) 6 april 2015
Leah N Wanfula, 21, missing from Garissa, 1st of 9 to go to college, popular, loved Christian activities, mathematics pic.twitter.com/Tr1VcvPf7w — Edith Honan (@edithhonan) 6 april 2015
Obedy Okiring Okodoi, missing from Garissa. “He was joyful, focused, wanted to achieve the highest,” a teacher to be pic.twitter.com/E0X8PldnO5 — Edith Honan (@edithhonan) 6 april 2015
Edward Wafula, missing from Garissa. “Preached God’s teachings.” Loved playing with kids, wanted to be a teacher. pic.twitter.com/tyQzSa37IE — Edith Honan (@edithhonan) 6 april 2015
“This is my lovely Doreen gakii who lost her life in garissa. She was a 2nd year taking bachelor of education, arts” pic.twitter.com/BxaecTLxGS — Edith Honan (@edithhonan) 6 april 2015
Selpher Wanda, 21, died in Garissa. “Welcoming, always happy, loved to sing,” wanted to be a teacher pic.twitter.com/Dz2au6eO6a — Edith Honan (@edithhonan) 6 april 2015
Risper Mutindi Kasyoka, 23, died in Garissa. A-student, loved gospel music, planned to start biz consulting firm pic.twitter.com/E01KXerKbK — Edith Honan (@edithhonan) 6 april 2015
Abdi Mohammed Abdullahi (centre) , one of the terrorists killed in #GarissaAttack in his law school days pic.twitter.com/KTcLQLoxdh — Dennis Okari (@DennisOkari) 5 april 2015
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