This archive report was first published on 24 December 2019.
Riverside Terror Attack: 5 Men Who Died Protecting Female Colleague ¶
On January 15, 2019, a terror attack shook Nairobi, Kenya, when Al Shabaab terrorists stormed into the dusitD2 complex on 14 Riverside Drive. The attack lasted over 15 hours, claiming the lives of at least 21 people and leaving many more injured.
Among the victims were six employees of Cellulant, a financial payment company, who operated an office in the building. The employees, all male, were cornered in a small room under the stairs of the first floor with a female colleague. In a heroic act, the five men shielded their female colleague from bullets, choosing to die so she could live to tell the story of what happened.
The five men who died were Denis Munene Mwaniki, 29; Jeremiah Mathai Mbaria, 31; John Wanyaga Ndiritu, 29; Kelvin Kariuki Gitonga, 28; and 23-year-old Wilfred Kareithi Waihura. Another employee, 36-year-old Ashford Kuria Maina, had been pulled from a toilet on the 5th floor and executed by the terrorists.
Cellulant eulogized the six men as heroes who 'put their lives on the line in true acts of bravery, leadership and selflessness to save the lives of colleagues in the Riverside terrorist attack.'
Each of the men was remembered for their unique qualities and contributions to the company. Dennis was a humble and intelligent leader, Jeremiah was a leader, brother, and mentor, John was the man behind the brains of the Ecobank and bulk short message service (SMS), Kelvin was an intelligent and competent engineer, and Wilfred was a jovial and energetic individual who epitomized the company's motto: 'Make Possible!'
There have been calls for President Uhuru Kenyatta to recognize these gallant men with state recognition, and many hope he will heed these calls.
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