4349_Passion story of Richard - Korokocho slum of Nairobi 2017

April 14, 2017

By Fr. Joseph Minja, SDB
Bosco Boys, Nairobi, Kenya AFE Province

Nairobi, Kenya, 14 April 2017 -- As every year we celebrate the Passion of Jesus and during the Triduum we remember the Great Love of God for each one of us. Indeed for Don Bosco Salesians the Passion of Jesus is incarnated also in the passion and suffering of many poor youth people around the world. One moving story of Richard Muiruri, one of the street children in Bosco Boys in Nairobi help us to live this Passion and Resurrection of Jesus with with a profound Salesian touch. The Passion of Jesus is alive in the life stories of so many street children around the world.

Richard Muiruri was born in Kenya, Nairobo on 28 November 1999 and died, shot by the police on 10 April 2017. He is a second born in a family of four, was baptised four years ago, received first holy communion two years ago and was in the list of those who were going to receive the sacrament of confirmation this Easter time.

The name of his father is unknown and his mother is Mary Njeri (photo), living in poor slum of Nairobi of Korokocho.

Richard was admitted in our institution on 16 July 2012 as a street child and after rehabilitation joined Don Bosco primary school in 2013. He died before completing class seven. 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 in playing football and he was good in other games such as indoor and party games. Richard really enjoyed outings such as swimming.

We closed the school on April 8, 2017 and all children left for their holidays next day after lunch. Together with other children that come with him from Korokocho slum Richard left the centre. As per the information we got from his mother is that, he arrived at home safely. He spent few minutes with her then thereafter he 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 to night club in town. In the beginning he did not take in their request since he had no money. One of the boys told him that he will pay his bus fare to and fro as well as entry fee to the club and due to much influence he unwillingly agreed to their request and joined them to Nairobi.

They spent the whole night there until 5 AM. On the way coming back to Korokocho, one the boys snatched a purse of a lady and started running away but 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 could not manage since he had no experience of this kind of behavior. He fell down while running behind his friends and immediately police got him and showered him with three bullets shots and he died at spot.

His bad company cost his life. His mother and his three siblings are mourning. So bitter for her because she had more hope in him.

May his soul rest in peace.