Youngstown man describes 19-year-old brother, killed April 2 by Al Shabaab in Kenya

YOUNGSTOWN

Headlines of terror attacks dominate the news for a short time until another catastrophe happens. But these personal tragedies are never forgotten by the victims’ families.

Eliud Kesio, an international long-distance runner who lives in the city and Germany, said he decided to publish a tribute in The Vindicator on April 15 in remembrance of his brother, Gideon Kipkurui Kesio. The 19-year-old student was among 147 Christians shot to death on April 2 by the Islamic group Al Shabaab. Gideon, an engineering student at Garissa University College in Eastern Kenya, was murdered in his dorm room.

Recently, Kesio and a friend, Patricia Canton, head clerk in the information department of Youngstown and Mahoning County Public Library, talked about the tragedy. Canton said she came to know Kesio as a patron of the library and through Fifth Avenue Community Church, where both attend.

A memorial service for Gideon was April 12 at the 1361 Fifth Ave. church. Kesio said he was grateful for a collection to help his family with funeral expenses.

Kesio said Gideon is “a Christian martyr, because he was killed because he was a Christian.”

“As a Christian, I forgive them [Al Shabaab]. I believe God wants us to forgive,” he said. “I don’t want revenge ... my heart is not like that.” He said there is no point in revenge as it will not bring his brother back.

Read more of his story in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.