NAIROBI — 2013 · Major Tragedy
The Westgate Shopping Mall Attack
On 21 September 2013 four gunmen attacked the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi's Westlands district. During a four-day siege more than 60 civilians and security personnel were killed and around 200 wounded; all four attackers also died. The Somalia-based group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility, calling it retaliation for Kenya's military presence in Somalia. After a seven-year trial, two men were convicted in October 2020 of helping prepare the attack and conspiring to commit a terrorist act and were given long prison terms; a third defendant was acquitted. The attack prompted a sweeping review of Kenya's security policies.
- Date
- 2013
- Place
- Westlands, Kenya, Nairobi, KE
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Solved
- Coordinates
- -1.2570, 36.8030 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 21 September 2013The attack on Westgate mall began.
- 24 September 2013The siege ended.
- 7 October 2020Two defendants were convicted of aiding the terrorist conspiracy.
- 30 October 2020The convicts were sentenced to prison.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Westgate shopping mall attack en.wikipedia.org ↗
- CNN — Kenyan court finds two men guilty over Westgate attack cnn.com ↗
- Al Jazeera — Kenyan court jails men over 2013 Westgate mall attack aljazeera.com ↗
- Wikipedia
- CNN
- Al Jazeera
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.