KENYA: Environmentalists and families of Kenyans killed in September mall attack, plant trees in honour of those who met their death during the mall siege

Record ID: 362765

  • Title: KENYA: Environmentalists and families of Kenyans killed in September mall attack, plant trees in honour of those who met their death during the mall siege
  • Date: 21st October 2013
  • Summary: NAIROBI, KENYA (OCTOBER 21, 2013) (REUTERS) FRIENDS AND RELATIVES OF WESTGATE MALL VICTIMS SEATED UNDER A TENT
  • Embargoed: 5th November 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
  • Reuters ID: LVA21GSG65G3AYD6UFZO4WEW3JC7
  • Story Text: Environmental groups and families of Kenyans killed in the September attack on Monday (October 21) planted trees in memory of those who met their death during the four day mall siege.
    A memorial plaque was erected and 70 trees planted for each each victim in a protected park north of Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD).

    "The Kenya forest service and the friends of Karura forest thought it important for us to remember the fallen ones by creating a living memorial. That living memorial is symbolized by 70 trees that we will plant today," said Karanja Njoroge, the chairman of the protected area and the chief organizer of the event.
    At least 67 people perished in the attack and hundred others injured after assailants associated with Somali militants, al-Shabaab, put the mall under siege trapping weekend shoppers at the upscale mall frequented by diplomats, experts and upper class Kenyans.
    30-year-old Rapul Metul Shah lost her husband in the attack, expressed her gratitude for the site saying it offered bereaved families a platform to pay tribute to their loved ones.

    "It is amazing what they have done, we are so humbled, we are so honored to be here. You know tree planting is such a noble cause and through this Metul and all the others who were victimized are going to live with us forever," she said.
    The memorial area was christened 'Amani (peace in Swahili) Garden' and the ceremony was meant to coincid with the date the killings happened last month.
    The attack, which was the worst on Kenyan soil since al Qaeda bombed the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi in 1998, killing more than 200 people, united Kenya's multi-ethnic community and sparked an outpouring of support for the military.
    But support for security services has waned as CCTV footage emerged of soldiers appearing to loot goods during the siege as the attackers were holed up in the mall.
    This has infuriated Kenyans who had initially praised troops for their courage in battling the Somali attackers.

    "I saw in the last footage some of the people with bags and running away and of course nobody knows what they were carrying in those bags. So we we want to hear from the right people and the right sources on what transpired in the four days because not even journalists were allowed in so nobody knows what actually happened inside. They have to come out clean on what actually transpired," said Babu Shah, a businessman based in Nairobi.
    Army commanders and spokesmen have leaped to the defense of the soldiers and have slated a news conference for Wednesday (October 23) to deal with looting allegations arising from the latest CCTV footage.
    Kenya's Interior minister said in a statement that three bodies of "terror suspects" had been recovered from the mall during the week and on Sunday (October 20) the body of what was believed to be a fourth attacker was pulled from the rubble.
    According to the statement, four AK47 assault rifles and 11 magazines used by the gunmen were also recovered.
    ENDS
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