7 unanswered questions about Westgate siege

A man lies dead at the Westgate Mall after the terror attack on Saturday September 21,2013.Photo/Charles Kimani

After the horrific Westgate siege on September 21 that left at least 61 people dead, questions still linger on how successful the entire operation was. The government has already parted herself for a successful operation. But we are still asking many questions. Today we have 7 questions to ask the government:

Westgate looting:KDF to arrest stealing soldiers

Inside the Nakumatt Supermarket at Westgate Mali after the attack. The supermarket is said to have been looted allegedly by KDF officers.

Caught on CCTV cameras looting,Kenya Defence Force(KDF)  now wants you to help them arrest looting soldiers.

“We appeal 4(for) public participation in availing concrete information&evidence pointing to any KDF personnel engaging in unprofessional conduct,” reads a statement from the force.

Westgate deaths hits 62,two gunmen killed

People run out of Westgate Mall after gunmen attacked and killed atleast 59 people Photo Reuters

The government has  said 62 people have so far died from the Westgate Mall siege that has entered its third day.Two terrorists are amont those killed by the Kenyan forces.

The government said the smoke that had created anxiety at Westgate was the gunmen who had burned mattress at Nakumatt store.

In a Statement released to news rooms Cabinet Secretary for Interior Joseph Ole Lenku disputed the figures released by Kenya Red Cross Society which has been in the forefront of saving and removing victims from the scene of the attack.

“The death toll remains 62 and 175 injured. Some NGOs have given a higher death toll, which we believe to be incorrect owing to the possibility of double-counting,” Lenku said in an earlier statement.

Some of the victims have already been released to family for burial.

The government has warned Kenyans against contributing money for Westgate victims through suspect MPesa accounts.

“We would like to warn Kenyans against conmen. All Kenyans and other well-wishers are advised against sending monetary donations in respect of Westgate Mall to various MPesa accounts popping up everywhere. Please send money using only accounts published and verified by Government,” said Lenku.

No updates has been given as to the number of hostages still being held hostage by the 10-15 gunmen linked to Al Shabaab militia. Today journalist covering the siege had to scamper for safety after reports reached them that grenades were being thrown by the militias.

 

Read the release

UPDATE ON WESTGATE MALL SIEGE BY JOSEPH OLE LENKU, CABINET SECRETARY FOR INTERIOR AND COORDINATION OF NATIONAL GOVERNMENT Our gallant multi-agency security forces continued their operations overnight.

They have rescued a few more civilians held inside the mall, but a few still remain. We are unable to give precise figures at this stage. But we can confirm that our disciplined forces are up to the task and have been extremely careful to find the balance between neutralising the attackers and getting as many people to safety as possible.

The death toll remains 59 and 175 injured. Some NGOs have given a higher death toll, which we believe to be incorrect owing to the possibility of double-counting. Some of the dead have already been released to their families for burial.

We will in due course provide the number of foreigners killed in the attack. We would like to bring to the attention of Kenyans the following important information:

• First, we would like to warn Kenyans against providing false information to security agents on either people they believe are trapped in the mall or any other information as it takes away from the core task of bringing this siege to an end.

• Secondly, we would like to warn Kenyans against conmen. All Kenyans and other well-wishers are advised against sending monetary donations in respect of Westgate Mall to various MPesa accounts popping up everywhere. Please send money using only accounts published and verified by Government.

• Thirdly, we wish to assure Kenyans that security at all entry and departure points – including airports and the seaport — in the country has been significantly raised. • Fourth and lastly, we urge all Kenyans and people of goodwill to remain calm and vigilant. We thank all Kenyans for their support during this difficult time.

Thank you. Nairobi 23 September 2013 11:30 am

Twitter suspends Al Shabaab account

Al shabaab Twitter account suspended

Twitter has suspended an account run by Somalia rebel group Al shabaab a few days after the group posted graphical photos of a French soldier they killed in Mali.

Kenya in Somalia one year on: Some memorable events

Troops from the Kenyan Contingent are seen on the back of a flat-bed military truck as they form-up in the early morning ahead of an advance on the Somali port city of Kismayo. PHOTO / STUART PRICE.

Today marks one year since Kenya stormed Somalia. Then Al shabaab was a strong and vile force that issues threats to the ‘career’ Kenya army.

But one year down the line the chest thumbing Al shabaab has swallowed its pride and has scattered like chaff on a windy day.

Al shabaab live in forest after Kismayu ouster

A handout photo by KDF shows the forces entering Kismayu using boats Photo/KDF

Somalia Al shabaab militias yesterday announced  they have abandoned their 5-year hold of lucrative port city of Kismayu.

“The military command of Shebab mujahedeen ordered a tactical retreat at midnight,” Al Shabaab spokesman Ali Mohamud Rage told AFP.

200 al shabaab surrender to AMISOM

AMISOM Release

Mogadishu, 22 September, 2012: Al Shabaab suffered a significant setback today over 200 militants from the Al-Qaeda linked group and gave themselves up to AMISOM forces in Garsale, approximately 10 km from the town of Jowhar and some 80 km from the capital, Mogadishu.

KDF kill 200 al shabaab in Miido,Somalia

More than 200 bodies of al-shabaab fighters have been discovered between Miido and Janay Cabdalla towns in Somalia reports Citizen TV.  AMISOM troops led by Kenya Defense Forces said the decaying bodies were discovered in trenches on Wednesday after al shabaab fighters retreated towards Bibi town following three days of heavy fighting.

Al shabaab slaughter Kenyan soldiers in Kismayu

Brutal:Al shabaab militants pull a body of a KDF soldier in the street of Kismayo Photo/HSMPress

Al shabaab terror group has posted photos of four soldiers they killed in Kismayo on Friday. The group claim the four are Kenyan soldiers but a closer look at their uniforms shows only two are KDF soldiers.

Photos of the four were posted on their twitter handle @HSMPress . In one photo a KDF soldier is pictured with a packet of Sportsman cigarette,Equity bank card, his ID card and an Airtel line. The other shows ‘locals’ dragging a body through the streets of Kismayu.

KDF kills 14 al shabaab in Kismayu

Kenya military has warned of attacks in 10 towns in Somalia against Al Shabaab

Kenya Defence Forces yesterday gunned down 14 al shabaab militias at the port of Kismayu.

In a release to newsrooms Colonel Cyrus Oguna said KDF was carrying out routine patrol when they encountered the militia.