Commemorating Westgate Mall Tragedy: Changes Made by Kenya Police 8 Years after the Deadly Attack

Eight years ago today, a group of terrorists descended on Westgate Mall in Nairobi and attacked innocent Kenyans leaving at least 67 people dead and hundreds other injured.

The attack caught the country’s security agencies flat footed, with poor rescue coordination being blamed for the severity of the attack.

Eight years later, the National Police Service (NPS) and other security agencies have made several changes aimed at improving the countries capability of preventing and tackling such security occurrences.

In a statement released on September 21, 2021, NPS detailed some of the changes it has made including; increasing manpower in the service, investing in a reliable surveillance system in major towns across the country and empowering officers through relevant training.

“Over the past eight years, the service has employed over 40,000 new police officers…. Consequently, we have had enhanced police presence in our security installations across the country. Further, the Service installed a reliable surveillance system in major towns and cities and procured modern security equipment.

A team from Kenya's Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU). [Photo: Courtesy] 

“We have also improved individual capacities of police officers and stakeholders by training of police reservists, enhanced training to special units, decentralization of special units to counties, sector-based highway patrols with a seamless command, police escorts in insecure areas, provision of ordinary police vehicles and specialized carriers,” NPS’s statement read in part.

In regards to measures taken to imprve intelligence gathering, NPS noted that it has invested in community policing and nyumba kumi initiative which has enhanced cooperation between police and the public.

“So far this has continued to build trust and has led to more information on terror and organized crime from the public. NPS has also unveiled a robust and grassroots countering of violent extremism by networking with communities in preventing terrorism and building resilience in communities,” NPS said.

On its part, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI); which is a department under NPS put out a statement indicating that it has a highly-skilled team ready to protect Kenyans and their statement in case of an attack.

“DCI’s Emergency Response Team, a highly efficient tactical unit within the Anti-Terror Police Unit remains alert for any terror related eventuality in the country. Trained in close quarter battles for counterterrorism and hostage rescue operations, DCI’s Emergency Response Team is on standby round the clock to protect you and your loved ones, in case of a terror attack,” DCI said.

As affected families and Kenyans at large remember the tragic attack, the rallying call is that #We AreStronger.