Famous Ghanaian Poet, President Kenyatta’s Nephew And His Fiance Among 59 Killed At Mall

A famous Ghanaian poet and President Kenyatta’s nephew and his son are among the 59 people that were killed at yesterday’s attack that took place at the Westgate mall.

The Ghanaian poet and diplomat, Kofi Awoonor, was in Nairobi as one of the participant in the Storymoja Hay Festival, a 4-day celebration of writing, thinking and storytelling. The confirmation of his death was made early Sunday morning by the Ghanaian government.

Other people that have been identified to have been killed in the attack are President Kenyatta’s nephew,  Mbugua and his fiance Wahito who were also at the mall.

Apart from those who lost their lives at the brutal murder, others were left with injuries. At the moment, about 1,000 people have so far been evacuated from the mall, however, an unknown number of hostages are still trapped inside with the terrorists. I is believed that about 15 people are still at the mercy of the terrorists. Kenyan security forces have been locked in a standoff with gunmen since yesterday. Gun shots have been heard all morning in the area.

Heavily armed Islamic extremists pulled up in several cars yesterday and shot their way into the most upmarket shopping centre in Nairobi. They ordered Muslims to leave the premises. To be prove they were muslims, they were asked recite a prayer or answer a question on Islam. Once the Muslims were identified and sent out of the complex, they went on shooting rampage killing those that  failed their Islamic test.

According to a BBC report, at least one of the attackers was a woman with some kind of a leadership role.