Zimpapers Logo

NEW YORK. — The United States confirmed last Friday that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is examining the remains of bodies removed from the Westgate mall following the September 21 terrorist attack.
A State Department official said in response to a query from the Nation that the FBI is acting at “the request of the government of Kenya”.
US personnel are “providing a range of assistance to the Kenyan government to support the investigation of the Westgate attack,” the official added.

Gen Julius Karangi, head of the Kenya Defence Forces, said on Friday that the FBI had taken custody of the remains of four people believed to have carried out the Westgate massacre.  The State Department official did not specify how many bodies are being examined by the FBI, nor did the official identify the remains as those of suspected attackers.

“The FBI is providing forensic assistance to analyse and identify the remains of bodies recovered at the site of the attack,” the official said in an emailed comment.

The FBI itself has not responded to requests for further information on its involvement in the investigation of the attack that resulted in nearly 70 deaths. Al-Shabaab claimed that its militants carried out the attack. — Daily Nation.