The Westgate shopping mall officially reopened today morning nearly two years after a terror attack that killed over 60 people and many businesses.
It was Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero who did the ritual of cutting the red ribbon at the mall’s entrance at around 10am, declaring Westgate is back in business. Anchor tenant Nakumatt’s management was all over the moon with huge banners shouting their reopening message.
Westgate, now guarded by Israelis, was the scene of a deadly attack in September 2013 after al Shabaab gunmen massacred 67 people in a four day siege.
A a private Israeli security firm, I.R.G has taken over security at the mall. It has about 25 specialist staff and will use about 55 guards from security firm G4S, one I.R.G employee told Reuters inside Westgate.
New security features will include explosive detectors, luggage X-rays, scanners to check underneath cars, bollards to prevent car bombs, and bullet-proof guard towers.
“This will be the safest mall in the world,” said Cohen, an I.R.G. employee who did not wish to give his full name. Mr Kidero told Reuters that the attack was one was “one of the saddest days in Kenyan history” but touted the re-opening of the mall as a triumph of national resilience in the face of militant attacks.
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