KiN Newsroom Kenyans in Norway held a memorial service in Oslo for the victims of the Westgate Mall terror attack on Sunday. The service was attended by many Kenyans and friends of Kenya in Norway.
Apart from the solemn songs and encouraging sermon, leaders from various Kenyan organisations including Kenya Students Association in Norway (KESAN), International Christian Students' Union and the Association of Kenyans in Norway (AKIN) held moving speeches.
After the service, all attendees were treated to a reception where they mingled and discussed the events of the week that will remain one of Kenya's most trying times in history.
In their speeches, the leaders encouraged Kenyans and the world never to give the terrorists the benefit the latter aimed for i.e creation of constant fear. AKIN Chairman Mr. Fredrick Makosir said the attacks had nothing to do with religion or any problems between Somalia and Kenya. He said the terrorists must bear full responsibility for the cowardly attack on innocent civilians including a young eight year old muslim girl who lost her life at the mall. He said no one should be scared of travelling to Kenya because despite the attack, Kenya is a safe country and that the terrorists could have attacked any other country. KESAN vice chairman Lamerch reminded Kenyans of the ugly face of tribalism and caused smiles when he brought to light a social media joke about blood transfusion.
The list of victims of the Saturday terrorist attack in a Nairobi mall confirmed Kenya’s credentials as a cosmopolitan African city with inhabitants from all parts of the world.
Here is a list of some of the victims.
KENYA
1. Peter Ldhituachi Simani, a board director at the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) and chairman of the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal, also tragically died at the Westgate Mall.
Mr. Simani, a senior partner at Simani and Associates, was serving a three-year term at the regulator’s board. He was appointed in February 2011. The deceased’s law firm provided consultancy and legal services in criminal, civil, and commercial law.
2. Anuj Shah of Sona Shoppe, a photography studio situated in several Nakumatt branches such as the ill-fated Westlands and Ukay, was also killed during the attack. Mr. Shah was the brother-in-law of Atul Shah, Nakumatt Holdings’ managing director.
3. Harun Oyieke, a lecturer at Co-operative University College of Kenya, which is based in Karen. He was the husband to Prof. Florence Awino of University of Nairobi’s School of Biological sciences where she is also the deputy director of the Student Welfare Authority (SWA).
4. Ruhila Adatia-Sood, a popular TV and radio personality, was in the rooftop car park of the Westgate shopping centre where she was part of a team hosting a cooking competition for children at the time of the attack. She was married to Ketan Sood, who worked for USAid in Nairobi, in January 2012 in what has been described as Swahili-themed wedding. She was six months’ pregnant with their first child when she died.
According to reports, Ms Adatia-Sood was rushed to Aga Khan Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.
5 &6. Mbugua Mwangi and Rosemary Wahito: President Uhuru Kenyatta’s nephew Mbugua Mwangi and his fiancee Rosemary Wahito are among the many Kenyans killed in the attack on the Westgate shopping centre.
According to the Irish Independent newspaper, Mr Mwangi’s mother, Catherine Muigai Mwangi, had recently returned home from Dublin following a six-year posting as Kenya’s ambassador to Ireland. Mr Kenyatta’s elder sister, Christine Wambui Pratt, had also been at Westgate at the time of the attack, but managed to escape. The family was planning a wedding for the deceased couple.
7. Mitul Shah: A sales and marketing director of Bidco, a company that primarily makes cooking oil, Mitul Shah was also up in the rooftop car park at the cooking competition. “He died trying to save stranded children. He died as a hero,” Half Jadhe Half Kyuk wrote on the KenyaList.com message board. Nehal Vekaria: A 16-year-old student. On Sunday, her family held her funeral where she was cremated.
8. Martin Munene Kithinji: A police officer attached to GSU Recce company.
9. Wilkista Vizengwa Angoro: She used to work with AMREF
10. Crispal Gaitung'u Ng'ang'a: He worked for Genesis Office Solutions
11. Kennedy Mogaka Mochere: He was a Nakumatt employee
12. Veronicah Wairimu Kamau: Also worked at Nakumatt
13. John Mutinda Musango: He hails from Machakos County and worked at Nakumatt
14 David Kithumbi Karechu. A Bank of Baroda employee and father of four.
15 Ezekiel Muchoka Mitambo, 26 KDF soldier was felled while on a recue mission.
16 John Mugwika 67, Former government surveyor was a driver and died on duty.
17 Pavraj Ghataurhae, Oshwal Academy student.
18 Paul Kimani, 64, A driver.
19 David Muthumbi, Bank of Baroda employee.
20 Rajan Solanki 24, He died at the cooking contest in Westgate
21 Pramshu Jain 8, Student at Visa Oshwal.
22 Maurice Ombisa.
23 Paul Muriuki 54, a driver and father of four
25 Salima Ayaz Merali Wife of Paramount Universal Bank CEO Ayaz Merali.
26 John Mulwa, 25 Worked for Paramount cleaning services at Westgate Mall
28 Nurianna Merali, Daughter of Paramount Universal Bank CEO Ayaz Merali.
29 Rehmat Mehboob, shot while fleeing from attackers
30 Dalvinder Kaur, Died with her grandson Pavraj Singh
31 Silvia Makungu Ulari, 24 Worked for Parapet cleaning.
32 Marygloria Atamba Selete, Customer relationship assistant at The Little Soles shop
33 Jenah Louis Bawa, 8 She died alongside her mother Zahira
34 Zahira Ahmed Sajan Commercial property lawyer.
35 Jackton Puodi, KDF soldier killed in the rescue mission.
36 Ruth Macharia, Killed at Art Caffe restaurant while on duty
37 Malti Ramesh Vaya, Empoyee Bank of Baroda
38 Neha Mashru Student at Visa Oshwal
39 Shyrose Dossa.
CANADA 40. Annemarie Desloges: A 29-year-old Canadian diplomat who served at the country’s high commission in Kenya as a liaison officer with the Canada Border Services Agency. Her husband, Robert Munk, was injured in the attack but has since been released from hospital, officials said. Another Canadian was also killed, but has not been named.
GHANA 41.Kofi Awoonor: The 78-year-old Ghanaian was a renowned poet - regarded as literary royalty at home, where his poetry and novels are considered essential reading at schools. He was in Nairobi as a participant in the Storymoja Hay Festival and was due to perform on Saturday evening. Ghana’s President John Mahama said he was shocked by such a sad twist of fate. Mr Awoonor’s son was with him in Nairobi and was shot in the shoulder during the attack.
INDIA 42. Sridhar Natarajan: The 40-year-old who died in Westgate was working for a pharmaceutical firm in Nairobi, Indian external ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said on Twitter. He was from Tamil Nadu, in southern India.
43. Paramshu Jain: The eight-year-old son of a branch manager for the Bank of Baroda also tragically died in the mall, Mr Akbaruddin said.
PERU 44. Juan Jesus Ortiz: A doctor and former deputy head of the Kenyan branch of the UN children’s fund, Juan Jesus Ortiz was at the shopping centre with his 13-year-old daughter Juanita. The 63-year-old died at the scene. His daughter was shot in the leg and hand and required surgery but is expected to survive, his son, Ricardo Ortiz, told Peru’s RPP radio, the AFP news agency reports.
SOUTH KOREA 45. Kang Moon-hee: The 38-year-old was fatally wounded from gunshot wounds and shrapnel from a grenade, South Korean’s Yonhap news agency reported. Sources told the agency she died while being treated at a hospital on Sunday. Her husband, a British citizen, has received surgery for a gunshot wound and is reportedly currently in stable condition. According to AFP, the couple had only recently moved to Nairobi from Dubai.
AUSTRALIA AND HOLLAND 46. A 33-year-old Dutch woman died at Westgate. According to AFP, quoting Dutch media reports, she had been living in Tanzania and was married to an Australian, who was also killed in the siege.
47 &22. Ross Langdon and his wife Elif Yavuz: Mr Langdon and his eight and-a-half months pregnant wife were shot inside the mall. Mr Langdon had his own firm, Regional Associates Ltd while his wife was a malaria specialist working for the Vill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation.
CHINA 50. China’s official news agency reported that a 38-year-old Chinese woman had been killed - her teenage son was injured.
FRANCE 51. A mother and daughter were “executed in the parking lot” of Westgate, a French official said.
Anne Dechauffour A london based French model who acted in a film about a hostage crisis.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
52. Ravindra Ramrattan: He worked for FSD Kenya
53. One national has died at Westgate, officials said.
54 & 55. Other victims identified by Daily Telegraph are Simon Belcher, Zahara Bawa and her eight-year-old daughter Jenah.
President Uhuru Kenyatta announcing end of the siege. Photo lifted from The Standard
KiN Newsroom President Uhuru Kenyatta addresses the Nation announcing an end to the westgate siege and thanks all who have contributed and offered their lives and support to this end. He further said Kenya remains safe and unshaken.
The President's full speech:
Fellow Kenyans, last weekend, terrorists alighted in Nairobi and unleashed an unspeakable and unforgivable atrocity on Kenyans and our visitors.
The agents of Terror, themselves, craven wretches and lowly cowards, had the agenda of perpetrating grievous mayhem in our country, senselessly killing, maiming and traumatising harmless, innocent people.
We confronted this evil without flinching, contained our deep grief and pain, and conquered it. As a nation, our head is bloodied, but unbowed. The criminals found us unafraid, as we ever shall be. We cannot be conquered. Our confrontation with the terrorists at Westgate Mall left 240 casualties.
I report with great sadness that 61 civilians lost their lives in the attack. Six Security officers also made the ultimate sacrifice to defeat the criminals.
Forensic teams are still at work at the scene of the tragedy and will put together a final report. Towards the tail end of the operation three floors of the Westgate Mall collapsed and there are several bodies still trapped in the rubble including the terrorists’.
Starting Wednesday I have instructed the Interior Ministry to keep Kenyans informed of the progress of the forensic investigations. Of the injured, 62 were operated on and remain hospitalized. Many others suffered non- physical trauma and shock and are receiving counselling at various facilities throughout the city.
Suspects arrested
It has not been an easy time, for anyone of us; least of all the affected. Our losses are immense. To honour the memory of those who lost their lives in this attack, I have declared three days of National Mourning starting Wednesday, during which official flags will fly at half-mast throughout the country.
Ladies and Gentlemen, as I had vowed earlier, we have ashamed and defeated our attackers.
That part of our task has been completed by our multi-agency security team. Five terrorists were killed with gunfire. Eleven suspects are in custody in connection with the attack. Intelligence reports had suggested that a British woman and two or three American citizens may have been involved in the attack. We cannot confirm the details at present.
Forensic experts are working to ascertain the nationalities of the terrorists. I promised that we shall have full accountability for the mindless destruction, deaths, pain, loss and suffering we have all undergone as a national family. These cowards will meet justice, as will their accomplices and patrons, wherever they are.
Fellow Kenyans, friends of Kenya, our solidarity, patience and resolve has seen us through the worst of this crisis. It is to you that I turned, for strength, love and aid to those afflicted by this encounter with the forces of evil. You came out in ways that exceeded the wildest expectations.
You have been generous, compassionate and patriotic. I am deeply moved and very proud to be your President. To the survivors of that terrible ordeal, the entire nation has waited anxiously for your safe deliverance, and we are all relieved to see you.
Fellow Kenyans, the response of the people throughout the country has been nothing short of wonderful. I have always known that our country is a splendid nation of fine, patriotic citizens.
The unity, selflessness and empathy shown to the affected over the last three days has been touching and exemplary.
We could not, in all fairness, ask more of you, and yet the revelation of your nobility continues to amaze.
Without a task force, organising committee or chain of command, you have risen up as one and stood firmly with your country, your brothers and sisters.
You have raised more than 60 million shillings through mobile money to help the affected. You have also donated food, clothing and other supplies, not only for the afflicted, but also to keep the volunteers going.
You have gifted fellow Kenyans, and our visitors blood, without pausing to consider whether they were Giriama, Dasanach, Turkana, Kuria or Embu, West African, Pakistani, British or German.
Your response to appeals for blood donations has been literally overwhelming. There is, evidently, no limit to your patriotic sacrifice. I am humbled and encouraged. Thank you all for your patience and understanding in the anxious moments when we waited for this nightmare to end.
My Brothers and Sisters, I thank the doctors, nurses, counsellors and other volunteers who thought nothing of their comforts and personal engagements when called upon to be their brother’s keepers.
We have all been touched by your selflessness. I appreciate the excellent work of our security forces. The dedication and professionalism of the valiant officers in containing a delicate and dangerous situation has made Kenyans proud. You continue to exemplify our national values in action. No one among us take for granted the fact that every time you accost evildoers, you put your life on the line for our sake. For this reason, I stand here to pay a special tribute to our security forces. I salute national leaders of every stripe who stood together to reassure the nation that deep inside, where it counts most, we are one, indivisible national family. For sharing the nation’s pain and anxiety, and for reaffirming the core principles of leadership, you have encouraged the nation. Let no one amongst us ever be blamed for dividing the people of Kenya.
In solidarity
Friends of Kenya, terrorism is a global problem that requires global solutions. Kenya will stand with our friends in tackling terrorism and I ask our friends to stand with us.
Our many friends throughout the world came through with moral support and offers of various forms of assistance. This solidarity has encouraged us immensely, and we will never forget your brotherly concern for our wellbeing.
My brothers President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Salva Kiir of Southern Sudan and Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi have called daily to encourage us. Other African and global leaders, including presidents Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, Jacob Zuma of South Africa, and Hailemariam Desalegne, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, as well as United States president Barack Obama, the prime ministers of Israel and Britain have also expressed their sympathies and best wishes.
The people of Kenya thank you. The operation to contain terrorists, pacify and stabilise our region and continent continues, and there will be opportunity to consult and cooperate in future.
My People, Our Friends, The majority of the people who lost their lives to the terrorist attack were innocent, harmless civilians.
They were people of various nationalities, races, ethnic, cultural, religious and other walks of life. They were in Kenya, and in Nairobi because the people of Kenya welcomed them warmly and freely. As one family, the people of Kenya continue to mourn them. We must never forget them. Just like their lives, their memory will remain precious in our hearts. Let us always remember that they were compelled by the mindless actions of evil, cowardly terrorists, to make the unnecessary, yet ultimate sacrifice.
We will stand by each other, and we must stand by the families of the fallen. My Government will assist the families to cope with their grief and loss. We pray that God, our Creator, will comfort them with divine hope and assurance, and give them strength to face the coming days.
I ask all of you, brothers and sisters, to remember them by staying united, tolerant, caring, generous and loyal to one another, and to our nation.
There are many people who have suffered painful bodily injury, and those who suffer afflictions invisible to the eye.
We pray for your quick and full recovery. Fellow Kenyans, We have been badly hurt, and feel great pain and loss. But we have been brave, united and strong. Kenya has stared down Evil and triumphed.
We have prevailed just by being who we typically are, and have been from the time of our forefathers. In caring and giving; in loving and uniting; in never tiring, and not hesitating, in resolutely looking forward and never turning back, we have defeated our enemies and shown the whole world what our values can accomplish.
As we put this tragic period behind us, let us stay true to who we are. Our attackers wished to destroy the essential character of our society. They failed. Kenya endured. Kenya endures. With our openness and inclusivity, we shall confront and overcome all the challenges facing us as a nation.
We shall rise as one, defend and build this nation together.
In one accord we have triumphed. In one accord, we shall prosper. The incident which we now put behind us was certainly not welcome.
Yet it has strengthened us and renewed our resolve to live as one strong, open, stable, democratic and prosperous Republic, where people of all races, cultures and faiths pursue happiness together.
We must live as a diverse, tolerant society with neither bias nor barriers to all people of goodwill. Our openness, enterprise and generosity have brought us through adversity to where we are, and will impel us achieve our collective and individual dreams. Amid the horror and confusion of the past few days, you have found it in yourselves to be incredibly strong and generous.
You have held each other’s hand, and extended this love to our visitors. Your resilience and compassion have saved many lives and brought hope and comfort to countless families. I have drawn strength and inspiration from your wonderful example. My resolve to ensure that my Government delivers to you is strengthened even more by the certainty that I lead a nation of fine folk, who deserve our best work.
Let us work in unity, in the spirit with which we defeated the monster of terrorism, to heal the wounds inflicted on us, and to confront the obstacles in our way to prosperity. We must put development and happiness within our reach. We will ensure that Kenya always retains its honour among nations.
The Glory of Kenya, is the fruit of our collective labour. That is what our founding fathers inscribed in our National Anthem.
Because of what we have done, we have not been shaken. As long as Kenya remains our home, we are indomitable. I urge you to remain calm and vigilant.
Our country is safe. God bless you all, and God bless Kenya.
KiN Newsroom
Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) reported the end of the opertation to rescue hostages after neutralising the last six militants who attacked the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi on Saturday mid morning. KDF reported early this morning that they are now fully in controll of the mall and are combing all the floors in search of any hostages who may still be hiding in the building. Intermittent gunshots were heard latest 09:10 AM this morning confirming the delicate situation still being dealt with by the KDF.
The report also had it that KDF are also fetching for traps or explosives that the militants may have planted in an attempt to kill soldiers during the last stages of the rescue operation.
The tone and the mood on the ground is different today with relatives thronging hospitals and rescue operation centers in search of their loved ones. Police and security forces are still on full allert at the Mall.
The Nairobi City Mortuary have sent a request to families who have not managed to locate their missing relatives to visit the morgue from today to identify ate least ten bodies which they report are not yet identified.
The President is expected to address the nation and devulge the official status of the operation that is deemed to have reached its conclusion as far as direct combat is concerned.
DONATIONS to support the victims of the terror attack can be relayed to the following official PAYBIL NUMBERS: MPESA - 848484 or ORANGE - 222222 INFORMATION: Westgate terror attack information phone numbers: (+254) 0722444110 (IGP David Kimaiyo), 0714563335, Police HQ 0202724154/310225, 0203556780, 02023532198, 0202724154, 020355771.
UPDATE: 15:05 (EAT): KDF is fully in charge of all the floors of the Westgate Mall, two terrorists dead, ten KDF officers injured Tuesday -00:10: - Military report states that they are in full controll of the mall and have neutralized the remaining 6 militants - Interior Ministry reports Kenyan soldiers are now combing the mall floor by floor and that all hostages have been rescued . KiN Newsroom Sixty-nine people have reportedly lost their lives and over 175 injured following the Saturday mid morning terrorist attack in Nairobi.
An explosion, heavy bursts of fire and gunfire have been reported at the Westgate shopping mall this Monday morning. The 10-15 assailants are believed to be holding an unknown number of hostages. A united Kenya Defence Force (KDF) are working round the clock with the operation which has now entered a very critical point but which they say is soon being conluded.
The militants now believed to be from the Somali al-Shabaab group are still holed up at the mall where KDF have reported that "all efforts are under way to bring this matter to a speedy conclusion."
According to Defence spokesman Col Cysrus Oguna, only a small number of hostages were still being held at the mall. The civilians are either taken hostage or are hiding in the building for their safety as they wait for the rescue team.
Fire reportedly set on by the assailants at the Nakumatt store, Westgate Mall
As at the time of going to press, the following number of foreign nationals were reported to have died following the siege:
INDIA: 2 killed BRITAIN: 2 killed FRANCE: 2 women killed SOUTH AFRICA: 1 killed CANADA: 2 killed including a diplomat GHANA: 1 killed THE NETHERLANDS: 1 killed CHINA: 1 woman killed UNITED STATES: 1 killed
Westgate terror attack information phone numbers: (+254) 0722444110 (IGP David Kimaiyo), 0714563335, Police HQ 0202724154/310225, 0203556780, 02023532198, 0202724154, 020355771.
UPDATE: Kenya Red Cross reports number of deaths rose to 62 Sunday evening.
KiN Newsroom
According to Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku, the number of casualties after the Saturday terrorist attacks at Nairobi's Westgate Mall has risen with 59 now confirmed dead and 175 undergoing treatment at various hospitals in the city this Sunday midday.
An unknown number of people are still held hostage at the mall where security officials have reportedly managed to take full controll of two floors and are working their way towards solving this delicate operation.
The attackers who descended on the shopping mall Saturday are still upbeat and more shots were heard this morning at the mall. President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent his deepfelt condolences to all affected by this attack including some of his closest family members.
According to Secretary Ole Lenku, over 1000 hostages have now been rescued as security officers continue tracking down the assailants. Ole Lenku said it is suspected that there could still be 10-15 armed attackers in the mall making the rescue operation delicate.
Oshwal Religious Center near Westgate is providing support, first aid, free food and water to victims, security forces and rescue agents. You can help the survivors by donating blood at Aga Khan, Kenyatta, MP Shah, Nairobi Hospital, Kencom bus stop or at any Blood Donation Centers accross the country. Families whose relatives are missing in the Westgate terror attack are advised to call the following numbers: (+254) 0722444110 (IGP David Kimaiyo), 0714563335, Police HQ 0202724154/310225, 0203556780, 02023532198, 0202724154, 020355771.
Following are some very shocking photoes of the terrorist attack (Viewer discretion is advised +18):
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![410836-a-womans-body-in-westgate-shopping-centre-in-nairobi[1]](http://kenyastockholm.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/410836-a-womans-body-in-westgate-shopping-centre-in-nairobi1.jpg)
![410839-armed-police-search-westgate-shopping-mall-nairobi[1]](http://kenyastockholm.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/410839-armed-police-search-westgate-shopping-mall-nairobi1.jpg)
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