Kenyans come together in solidarity at Garissa memorial concert

A dark cloud hang over Uhuru Park’s Freedom Corner on Tuesday night as curious passersby lost their conviction to beat the newly upgraded Nairobi traffic on their way home, and instead joined the milling crowd to find out what was going on at the grounds. Set up as if to address government offices (most of which are based in town), the huge aluminum stage defiantly faced Nyayo House, the large flank of loud speakers booming out into the city.

The #GarissaTributeConcert, the event at which all this was happening was set up to pay tribute to the lives lost at Garissa university and to call upon the government to act upon the current security crisis featured performances by numerous Kenyan artists.

It was somber mood as Barbra Guantai opened the show with an acoustic call for peace. The grave tone was maintained by Valentine Ziki who gave the sad crowd encouragement to swim against the storm in an acoustic fusion. Achieng Abura, Juliani, Eric Wainaina and many other artists performed at the event. Two survivors of the gory Garissa attack also took to the stage, presenting poems and songs.

There was a moment of hope when Chief Justice Willie Mutunga walked on stage to read a prayer from the Kenyan Constitution before inviting Sarabi and Juliani who brewed the crowd a thick cocktail of emotions with their highly energetic performance of deep themed music.

Apart from the white crosses that have been in the park for one week and placards with printed messages, there were also 50 masks bearing names of some of the victims to represent the 147 dead students. Symbolism and imagery were in full force with the aim of highlighting the poignancy of human life that has in recent years been. The event was organized by photographer cum activist Boniface Mwangi.

 

 

*Images by Pawa 254