The Mt Kenya Times 
A child runs to safety during the attack on Westgate in 2013
By: Midmark Onsongo
Worth Noting:
- The attackers entered the mall through the rooftop parking lot, hurling grenades and spraying bullets indiscriminately at anyone in sight. They moved quickly, methodically, through the four-story building, targeting shoppers, restaurant-goers, and staff. Panic spread like wildfire as people scrambled to find cover—some hid in shops, others in bathrooms, while a few managed to escape through emergency exits. But for many, there was no way out.
- One of the most harrowing moments was captured on CCTV footage—families with young children crouching in terror behind counters, trying to stay silent as the gunmen passed by. In another scene, a woman is seen bravely shielding her child, her body tense with fear, her eyes wide with the realization that death could be just around the corner.
Do you remember that chilling day in September 2013 when Kenya’s heartbeat nearly stopped, and the air in Nairobi became thick with fear and uncertainty? The memory of the Westgate Shopping Mall attack, a scene of unimaginable horror, is still fresh in the minds of many Kenyans. It was on the afternoon of Saturday, the 21st of September, when a group of heavily armed terrorists stormed the upscale mall, transforming a place of leisure and shopping into a battlefield.
Westgate Shopping Mall, located in Westlands, Nairobi, was a popular destination for both locals and expatriates, known for its high-end stores, restaurants, and entertainment spots. It was a typical Saturday, and the mall was bustling with people going about their weekend activities—families shopping, friends catching up over coffee, and children playing in the entertainment areas. No one could have imagined the nightmare that was about to unfold.
At around 12:30 p.m., gunshots shattered the usual hum of the mall. Witnesses recall the initial confusion—some thought it was a robbery, others speculated it was a drill. But as the sounds of automatic gunfire and explosions echoed through the building, the terrifying reality became clear. The attackers, later identified as members of the Somali militant group Al-Shabaab, had come with a deadly mission. They were armed with AK-47 rifles, grenades, and explosives, and their intent was not just to kill but to send a message of terror.
The attackers entered the mall through the rooftop parking lot, hurling grenades and spraying bullets indiscriminately at anyone in sight. They moved quickly, methodically, through the four-story building, targeting shoppers, restaurant-goers, and staff. Panic spread like wildfire as people scrambled to find cover—some hid in shops, others in bathrooms, while a few managed to escape through emergency exits. But for many, there was no way out.
One of the most harrowing moments was captured on CCTV footage—families with young children crouching in terror behind counters, trying to stay silent as the gunmen passed by. In another scene, a woman is seen bravely shielding her child, her body tense with fear, her eyes wide with the realization that death could be just around the corner. Such images, later broadcasted on national and international media, left a deep scar on the collective psyche of the nation.
As the attack unfolded, the Kenyan security forces, including the General Service Unit (GSU), the police, and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), were mobilized. However, the initial response was chaotic and disjointed. There were reports of command confusion, delayed deployment, and lack of coordination between the various agencies involved. For the first few hours, the terrorists had free reign of the mall, killing indiscriminately and taking hostages.
The situation was further complicated by the fact that the attackers were not immediately identifiable. Al-Shabaab had recruited young men and women, some of whom did not fit the stereotypical profile of a terrorist. Witnesses described seeing a young woman among the attackers, calmly walking through the carnage as she fired her weapon. This element of surprise added to the horror—these were not the traditional masked, bearded men associated with terror; these were ordinary-looking individuals committing extraordinary acts of violence.
By the evening of the first day, it was clear that this was no ordinary attack. The terrorists had barricaded themselves inside the mall, using hostages as human shields and engaging in a prolonged standoff with the security forces. The battle for Westgate would last for four days, with sporadic gunfire, explosions, and smoke billowing from the building, as security forces tried to dislodge the attackers without causing further harm to the hostages.
One of the most tragic aspects of the Westgate attack was the loss of innocent lives. Sixty-seven people were killed, including children, and hundreds were injured. Among the dead were nationals from several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and India, highlighting the international impact of the tragedy. The victims included notable figures such as Ghanaian poet and diplomat Kofi Awoonor, who was in Nairobi for a literary festival, and President Uhuru Kenyatta’s nephew, Mbugua Mwangi, who died alongside his fiancée.
The aftermath of the attack was marked by grief, anger, and a search for answers. In the days and weeks that followed, stories of heroism and survival began to emerge. Ordinary Kenyans, like Abdul Haji, who was captured in a now-famous photograph rescuing a young girl from the mall, became symbols of hope and resilience. Haji, armed only with a pistol, had rushed to the scene after receiving a distress call from his brother, who was trapped inside. His actions, along with those of other civilians who risked their lives to save others, offered a glimmer of humanity in the midst of the horror.
However, the Westgate attack also exposed significant flaws in Kenya’s security apparatus. The delayed response, the lack of coordination among security agencies, and the subsequent looting of the mall by some members of the security forces during the operation, led to widespread criticism. The government launched investigations, and there were promises of reforms, but the scars of that day remain.
In the years since the Westgate attack, Kenya has faced other challenges, including further terrorist incidents and ongoing security concerns. But that fateful day in September 2013 stands out as a moment when the nation was forced to confront the brutal reality of terrorism. The memory of Westgate is a reminder of the fragility of peace and the ever-present threat of violence, but also of the resilience of the Kenyan people, who continue to stand strong in the face of adversity.
Westgate Shopping Mall reopened in July 2015, almost two years after the attack. It was a symbolic act of defiance against terror—a statement that Kenya would not be cowed by violence. But for those who lived through that dark day, the memories of the screams, the gunfire, and the haunting silence that followed will never fade. The Westgate attack is a chapter in Kenya’s history that remains etched in the hearts of its people—a terrifying reminder of the cost of extremism and the enduring strength of a nation united by its will to survive.
This article was scripted by;
MIDMARK ONSONGO
(Sustainable Economist, Geo-Politics strategizer)
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