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"content": "caught up in the tragedy, feel. I also thank the Government and our security forces because they moved fast and saved some lives. On that fateful Saturday, my nephew, my sister’s only child, came to my home to have breakfast with us. He brought along his girlfriend and his mother. They wanted to inform us that he has proposed to her. He told us when we would be going to see the parents of the girl. He told us that the father of the girl had allowed him to marry her. His words were; “Rosemary’s dad gave me Rosemary.” Until 10.30 am, we were still together but shortly after that, they left. They were very happy throughout. We prayed together and thanked God. It was barely an hour later when they met the tragedy. I think death beckons because they were supposed to go to the Village Market but they ended up at the Westgate Mall. The rest is history. The whole day, we expected them, like everyone else. We looked at the screens to see whether we would see a glimpse of them. We were not lucky and at about 8.00 p.m., in the night, we knew that they had been felled by the bullet. My own granddaughters, two of them were also there. Two of my granddaughters were also there. In fact, they are the ones who confirmed that the cousins were there and were among the first ones who were rescued after about three or four hours. Then the other niece, the daughter of one of my other sister, who is a professor at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Anne Muigai, was hit by three bullets through the head and stomach. She is at the Aga Khan and this morning she was having another operation to remove the bullet. She is out of danger. Madam Temporary Speaker, Christina Pratt, the President’s sister was also there. So, we had many members of the family. But, at least, we thank God that some of them escaped and were saved. But, unfortunately, we lost the one who is the only child to the mother. God found it fit to take him. Catherine was an Ambassador to Ireland and is doing well. She has taken heart. Some of you, including Sen. Kagwe, have really strengthened her. But I want to ask you to continue praying for us and the family, especially for the one who is still in hospital, so that she can come out well. Also pray for all the other Kenyans who were caught in this incident, because they are very many. I would like to take this opportunity also to console them and send our condolences to them. We thank His Excellency the President and the Government because a lot of work has been done to even secure the mall and the country. These are international terrorists and not just the ones based in Mogadishu. Madam Temporary Speaker, I think that we all need to be vigilant. I also ask that our borders should be secured. How could these people bring in all these arms? I think that we need to look at our security system, especially on our borders. With all the refugees and porous borders, it is a tall order, but I think that Kenya is a great country. For a country like ours to be able to withstand international terrorism with our small resources, when we know that they have hit even the Pentagon, the most guarded building maybe on this earth, is commendable. We should praise God for what he has done for us. We are having prayers at St. Andrews today and tomorrow, but we have been holding prayers at home. We will lay my nephew to rest on Friday. Even if you cannot come for the burial, we know that you are together with us. We heard the The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}