In the past few years, Somali militant group Al Shabaab has wreaked havoc on Kenyan soil with terrorist attacks that have claimed the lives of many innocent civilians.

The latest was the brutal massacre of 147 students at Garissa University College, just the day before Good Friday.

The latest Al Shabaab onslaught is the source of inspiration for Collin Sekajugo’s latest painting, which is a brave attempt to portray the suffering of Kenyans.

Titled Kenya Trips Again, Sekajugo’s flamboyantly coloured oil painting provides a unique and personal depiction of Kenya’s agony.

The piece portrays a figure — which is representative of the people of Kenya — carrying a heavy cross, on a background of red colour and violent tones. The background, according to the painter, is representative of “the heat, the intensity of the situation in Kenya,” while the country’s flag, which features prominently on the cross, is meant to give the artpiece identity.

The use of the cross is because it resonates with many people since the majority of Kenyans are Christians, and the terrorist attack took place as they were preparing to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

The man carrying the cross has a woeful expression, his body reclining like someone who has tripped and fallen — a depiction synonymous with the scenario where Jesus fell down as he carried the cross on which he would later be crucified.

“I wanted to come up with something that depicts the heavy load Kenya is currently carrying as a result of attacks on civilians by the Al Shabaab militants. I feel that Kenya is carrying a heavy cross, and, in that process, the country keeps on tripping and falling,” said Sekajugo.

“When the news of the attacks trickled in, I was in the process of creating something for the Easter weekend and my mind immediately drifted to that incident.”

The Ugandan-Rwandan artist, who was born and grew up in Kenya, says it’s his responsibility “as a citizen of East Africa” to shed light on the enduring suffering of Kenyan people.

In an interview at his Ivuka Studio in Kacyiru, a Kigali suburb, Sekajugo said he wanted, through his painting, to convey the message that “Kenya’s terrorism troubles are bigger than most people think.”

“It’s an awareness campaign, that’s the best I can do as an artist,” he added.