Herald Reporter
The Kenyan Embassy is yet to establish if there were any Zimbabweans among the 61 people who were killed when Somalia’s Al Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab insurgents besieged that country’s Westgate Mall and injured several other people. Kenyan embassy head of chancery Mr Peter Narimo said by yesterday afternoon they were still investigating the nationalities of the deceased.

“We have only been informed of the blasts and are yet to know the exact nationals involved,” he said.

Mr Narimo said the Westgate Mall, a bustling shopping centre that attracts people of different nationalities, is located at the western side of the capital Nairobi, some 10 minutes drive from the city centre.

“Most of the internationals and diplomats visit the outlets and there are United Nations offices situated near the mall,” he said.
“Many people visit the mall because of its proximity to Nairobi.”

Mr Narimo could not establish the exact number of Zimbabweans living in Nairobi, but said they could be many. Armed attackers stormed the shopping mall, killing the 61 shoppers on Saturday.

Almost 200 other people were wounded in the attack and at least 11 Kenyan troops were wounded in intense gun battles on Monday, the army said.

Special forces on Monday also killed at least three gunmen and wounded several in bitter fighting in the partly Israeli-owned complex which was popular with wealthy Kenyans and expatriates.

Al Shabaab insurgents have claimed the attack, which began midday on Saturday, when the gunmen marched into the complex, firing grenades and automatic weapons and sending panicked shoppers fleeing.

While the rest of Nairobi has largely been business as usual, deeply shocked Kenyans turned out in their hundreds to give blood, as well as raising more than US$400 000 to support the families affected.

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