Too many questions linger over terrorist attack on Westgate

As the country continues to mourn its dead following the end of the four-day siege by Al-Shabaab terrorists on Nairobi’s Westgate Mall, the hope is that the top leadership will play its part by quickly setting in motion investigations that will lead to a better public understanding of exactly how the tragedy was allowed to play out and grip local and international attention.

Reports that the police force, particularly the National Intelligence Service (NIS), received credible intelligence of impending terrorist attacks but failed to act in time to prevent the Westgate Mall massacre of innocent lives is particularly disturbing. The fact that the terror group struck one of the targets mentioned by the local informants as well as the Israeli intelligence authorities, among others, is a shocking commentary on the police ability to detect and prevent crime that is inexcusable.