Ex-soldiers salute forces for Westgate Shopping Mall operation

By KERIC WAINAINA

KENYA: Retired military and police officers have sent a congratulatory message to security agents who have been handling the Westgate Shopping Mall attack in Nairobi.

Through their chairman John Mathenge, the ex-soldiers under the banner Global Veterans and Peace Ambassadors, said the officers battling terrorists at the scene exhibited a high degree of patriotism.

“People like us (ex-soldiers) who have been in wars know that it’s total sacrifice. Our soldiers have done a very commendable job as they ensured that no terrorist escaped and that we were able to save most of the hostages,” Mr Mathege said Tuesday in a press conference in Kiambu.

Rescue hostages

The 40, 000 members criticised those claiming security agents took too long to save the hostages who were still holed up in the building, saying the situation called for that.

“There were people inside, but the terrorists were still firing. The mission was to rescue the hostages and capture the terrorists and this called for a very cautious operation,” he said.

The ex-soldiers termed the attack which left 62 dead and 175 injured as an act of cowardice and asked Kenyans to be calm.

The members, who have been taking part in peace building, disaster management and community policing in the country and abroad, also sent messages of condolence to bereaved families.