Kenya Defence Force: We recovered Sh300m from Westgate Mall

By Standard Digital Reporter

NAIROBI, KENYA: Over Sh300 million have so far been recovered and repatriated Westgate Mall tenants, Kenya Defence Force says.

Major Chirchir said the forces secured most of the shops at the mall and facilitated the repatriation of money to include the ATM.

“Are the following banks on twitter? Barclays Bank of Kenya, Diamond Trust Bank, CFC, and KCB," asked Chirchir on his twitter page. "@KCBGroup We sucured your Westgate Branch and facilitated the repatriation of your money to include the ATM."

He said DTB Bank custodial services was evacuated safely with documents of substantial value.

Chirchir noted that it would also be good to list shops that were vandalized out of the over 80 stores. So far Bata shop has talked of its shop being intact.

"It is our desire to maintain our professional core values. All KDF personnel found culpable will be firmly dealt with according to the Law."

Defence Cabinet Secretary Reychelle Omamo has so far defended the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) role in the Westgate siege rescue operation.

In a statement to media houses the Cabinet Secretary has also dispelled allegations of unprofessional conduct by the soldiers during the four day siege.

Omamo has defended the participation of the army in the operation adding that although internal operations are supposed to be handled by the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, the constitution obliges KDF to cooperate with other authorities in situations of emergency and disasters.  

"The terror attack at Westgate Mall was one such situation that necessitated KDF action in internal operations."

In light of claims that some soldier who participated in the rescue engaged in misconducts such as looting and drinking alcohol, Omamo say such accusations were unlikely.

"It should be noted that KDF came to this operation with a history of outstanding performance in both internal and external operations” said Omamo adding that the soldiers’ conduct was guided by International Standard Operating Procedures.

The Cabinet Secretary is now calling on the public to avail concrete information and evidence pointing to any unprofessional conduct by KDF.

Omamo further promised that "All KDF personnel found culpable will be firmly dealt with according to the Law".