Kenya - Hope wiped out – the story of Richard
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17 May 2017

(ANS - Nairobi) - Killed at the age of 17, from the ruthless shot of a gun that was fired at him even though he was blameless and just happened to be in the wrong company. This is the tragic story of Richard Muiruri, a former street boy who was attending the Salesian Centre "Bosco Boys" in Nairobi and had already embarked on a path of growth and maturity as a man and as a Christian.

Richard Muiruri was born in Kenya, Nairobi on 28 November 1999. His father’s name is unknown. His mother is Mary Njeri who lives in a poor slum of Nairobi called Korokocho. He was the second born in a family of four, was baptised four years ago, received first holy communion two years ago and was on the list of those who were going to receive the sacrament of confirmation this Easter time.

Richard was admitted to the Salesian institution on 16 July 2012 as a street boy and after rehabilitation, he joined Don Bosco primary school in 2013.

He was a very polite boy, full of energy, hardworking and obedient, very social and he had many friends in the school. He was good at football and other games such as indoor and party games. Richard really enjoyed outings such as swimming. He died, shot by the police, on 10 April 2017 before he could complete class seven.

The Salesians closed the school on 8 April and all the children left for their Easter holidays the next day after lunch. Together with other young people from the Korokocho slum, Richard left the centre and arrived home safely. He spent a few minutes with his mother and then went to see his brother who lives in a different house. His friends from that slum, boys who are not attending school, knew that he was at home so they came for him, persuading him to join them at a night club in town. At first, he did not accept their invitation since he had no money. One of the boys told him that he would pay his bus fare there and back as well as the entry fee to the club. After much persuasion, he unwillingly agreed to their request and joined them to go to Nairobi.

They spent the whole night there until 5.00 a.m. On the way back to Korokocho, one of the boys snatched a purse from a lady and started running away. By bad luck they were spotted by police who were on patrol. When they noticed that the police were after them, the rest of the boys managed to escape but Richard did not succeed since he had no experience of this kind of behaviour. He fell while running with his friends and immediately the police got him and showered him with three bullets. He died on the spot.

Bad company cost him his life. His mother and his three siblings are mourning. It is very sad for her because she had great hopes for him.

“May his soul rest in peace! Let us pray for his soul and for his dear ones,” say the Salesians in Nairobi.

InfoANS

ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

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