Ronald Ng’eno with his family. He was rescued on Wednesday morning. PHOTO | COURTESY
A man who went viral on social media after bidding farewell to his family while trapped in one of the buildings at 14 Riverside complex during Tuesday’s attack has been rescued.
Ronald Ng’eno was evacuated hours after he tweeted a “goodbye message” to his family should he die in the attack. He walked out of the complex early Wednesday morning after being trapped for more than 10 hours.
Mr Ng’eno, in a series of tweets, had given updates on the harrowing situation inside Dusit D2 Hotel at a time no one knew exactly what was happening.
In his first tweet, he said that if he died, he loved the lord and believe I will go to heaven.
“Please tell my family I love then I love you Caleb, Mark and Carol.”
If I die I love the Lord and believe I will go to heaven please tell my family I love then I love you Caleb, Mark and Carol
— Ron Ng’eno (@ronald_ngeno) January 15, 2019
Mr Ng’eno who describes himself as a husband, father, communication consultant, trainer and photographer, continued to update people of the situation inside the building.
At around 7pm as gunfire was heard in the vicinity he added; “We are still in bathroom gunshots in building, please pray for us.”
His last tweet was a minute later saying that his phone charge was almost off; “please pray.”
We are still in bathroom gunshots in building, please pray for us.
— Ron Ng’eno (@ronald_ngeno) January 15, 2019
As people waited for news of those rescued, Mr Ng’eno tweeted at 6:20am on Wednesday to the relief of those who had been hoping to hear good news that he was well.
“Dear all thank you for your support. I am now out and at home with my family. Thanks to the brave @NPSOfficial_KE @kdfinfo for risking their lives to save others.”
Mr. Ng’eno was among the more than 174 people who were rescued overnight even as security forces continued to battle the attacker more the 12 hours after the siege started.
Dear all thank you for your support. I am now out and at home with my family. Thanks to the brave @NPSOfficial_KE @kdfinfo for risking their lives to save others.
— Ron Ng’eno (@ronald_ngeno) January 16, 2019
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday morning declared the terrorist attack at the 14 Riverside Drive over, with all the terrorists having been killed.
He did not specify the number of the gunmen that had stormed the building complex, which houses the upmarket DusitD2 Hotel, among others.
A total of 14 people were killed, the President Kenyatta told the world in a media briefing from State House, Nairobi.