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The Mpeketoni massacre

Posted on 09/05/2014 at 05:51PM

One of our AiduAlumni, 19 year old Eric M. (LINK to his profile), witnessed the traumatic events in Mpeketoni on Kenya’s East coast last June and he would like to share these experiences with the Aiducation community. The story he wrote has left us speechless and we sincerely appreciate that he is sharing it with us.

“Sunday, June 15th 2014 will remain fixed in the mind of people, especially the residents of Mpeketoni, which is the agricultural hub for Lamu County. It all started with a mere gunshot, lest to know things would turn to be intense. 8:45 in the evening, a time when people were going on with their usual business and not knowing what the night held for them. After the first gun shot, people thought it was the Kenyan wildlife service fighting the hippos that tormented people near the Lake Kenyatta. However, the unexpected had happened.

Armed gunmen struck the village. Their first spot was Mpeketoni police station and due to the usual peace in our community, few officers were on duty. They engaged the policemen with shots for 20 minutes. After that, the gunmen struck the Mpeketoni shopping center. My family gathered outside our house and waited for the next move. Suddenly, two bullets flew over where we were standing. We all ran for our lives and I made my way through the bushes, fearing the shots more than the wildlife that lived there. It was my first night in the bush and the cold made it even worse.

The gunshots ceased around midnight and we were told it was now clear. As we were trying to make our way out of the thicket, gunfire started again and the noise created loud booming in the air. We ran back to our hideout and we lay still on our bellies. When dawn came, we tried to make our way back to the village center. What met our eyes was shocking. Bodies of young men scattered all over with gun wounds. Houses and big hotels had been damaged.
What followed that week was even worse. A series of attacks continued with a focus on targeting young men. We spent seven more nights in the bush, fearing for our lives. It was very difficult for me outside there, but there was no way out. It was not until the intervention of Kenya Defence Forces that life could start returning to normal.

The cause of the attacks is not clear and it may be a result of land issues rather than other terrorism link. Being on the grounds of the community, I can confidentially say there is hope for on-going peace now. I thank the government ingenuity in making sure proper security measures are in place, hence averting future ordeals.”

The original text slightly was modified and shortened. You can find more information about the current security situation in the region and a statement by our CEO Aiducation International here .

Tags: Kenya, East coast, AiduAlumni, attacks


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