Nairobi News

NewsWhat's Hot

Court to visit Westgate crime scene


A court will visit the Westgate Shopping mall on Tuesday to familiarise itself with the scene of the September 2013 terrorist attack.

Nairobi acting chief magistrate Daniel Ochenja, who is hearing a case against four men facing charges related to the attack, issued the directive.

This follows a request by prosecuting counsel Mungai Warui seeking directions as to whether the court will deem it fit to visit the shopping mall.

Mr Mungai sought the directions after the head of security at the mall, Mr Paul Mulandi, gave his evidence during the second day of the trial.

On Friday Administration Police officer Ali Miraji said he shot one of the attackers on his leg as he tried to enter the first floor of the mall through an escalator.

Mr Miraji said they were on cash transit duties at a company inside the mall when he had gun shots coming from the entrance.

The officer said within sometime he saw two people enter the mall wearing bullet proof jackets and ammunition magazines stacks around their waists.

“I confused them with officers from Recce Company from the GSU, I asked them through hand signal what was going on before they turned their guns towards me after spotting me,” said the officer.

Mr Miraji said he took cover as the fire exchange raged, while he and other officers tried to prevent the attackers from gaining access to the first floor by shooting at them.

He said the attackers fled and the sound of gun shots died for few minutes before another shot was heard from the second floor, where he saw two other attackers.

Mr Adan Abdikadir, Mohamed Abdi, Liban Abdullah and Hussein Hassan are accused of carrying out an terrorist attack on September 21 last year at Westgate Shopping mall.

Other charges facing some of the accused include giving support to a terrorist group and habouring persons committing a terrorist act.

Hearing continues on January 27.