It has been a decade since a group of Somali al-Shabab militants carried out a major attack on Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, resulting in the tragic deaths of over 60 individuals.
On Thursday, Kenyan citizens came together to remember the devastating assault that occurred on September 21, 2013, which became widely known as the Westgate Mall attack.
“Innocent lives were lost, and our sense of security was shattered. But today, as we gather to remember those who were taken from us too soon, we also gather to celebrate something much more powerful than the senselessness of violence that befell us a decade ago. We gather to celebrate the resilience of our nation,” shared Jeremy Van Tongeren, Chairman of the Kenya Security Industry Association.
On that fateful day, a team of four militants stormed the upscale Westgate shopping mall in Kenya’s capital, hurling grenades and indiscriminately opening fire on shoppers and business owners, resulting in casualties for anyone in their sight.
A harrowing four-day siege unfolded, during which Kenyan security forces launched a series of assaults to retake the mall and subdue the attackers. Tragically, 67 people lost their lives, and over 150 others sustained injuries.
“I hope that it won’t happen again. I’m still scared sometimes. I still have those flashbacks, like today, I’m truly remembering the people who passed away. But I’m also reflecting on the fact that I have this chance to live, and I’m grateful, yes, and I pray,” expressed a survivor of the attack.
The responsibility for the attack was claimed by Al-Shabaab in retaliation for Kenya’s military intervention in southern Somalia in 2011. To date, only two individuals have been convicted in connection with this heinous act, receiving sentences of 33 and 18 years in prison, respectively.
