Today marks exactly five years since masked gunmen attacked the upscale Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi leaving 71 dead. The Inspector General of the National Police Service (NPS) Joseph Boinnet has asked for vigilance as the nation commemorates the deaths of their loved ones. Two suspected terrorists were on Thursday arrested in Eastleigh, Nairobi on the eve of the anniversary.
Al Shabaab Terror group, which remains the greatest threat to security in this nation, claimed responsibility of the Saturday, 21 September 2013 attack.
The death count included 62 civilians, 5 Kenyan soldiers and four of the attackers. Sources indicate that around 200 persons were wounded following the attack. The incident went into the history of this nation as one of the deadliest terror attacks witnessed on this soil.
Father and daughter fleeing from the Westgate Mall [ Source/ BBC]
The deadly attack was linked to the retribution of the activities of the Kenyan military in Somalia. The government arrested a number of suspects following the attack in a bid to wipe out the group from operating in the nation.
Red Cross team rescuing woman from the West gate Mall [ Source/BBC]
The attack lasted for several days as security personnel tried to access the mall to save innocent Kenyans held hostage by the gunmen. The mall remained under tight security until 24 September when it was declared safe.
Victims of the Westgate Mall attack hiding (Source/BBC]
The incident not only horrified the entire World but also exposed the loopholes within the security forces of this nation. Several leaders from all the World send their messages of condolences to the families of the victims following the incident.