Kenya commemorates the Westgate shopping mall attack: first anniversary 2014

Today marks a year since the four-day attack on Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall where 67 people were killed and many wounded. The attack began on September 21, World Peace Day.

The commemorations will include a memorial stone, wreath-laying at a garden in the forest where 67 tree seedlings were planted last year, and a candlelight vigil at Nairobi’s National Museum of Kenya on Monday September 22 after a memorial concert.There will be evenings of reflection from September 21-24.

The National Museum is also holding a two-month memorial exhibition called “Our Nairobi: A Westgate Memorial Exhibition” from 15 September to 15 November 2014 (with the official opening on September 22).  It includes video testimonials from survivors, first responders, diplomats, and family members who tell of their experience. Each video (on a computer situated on a stand) which the audience can listen to through headphones, is accompanied by a large black and white photograph of the speaker. There is also a memorial book, candles besides a white sheet with the list of 67 names, and seats where visitors can pause, reflect, share, and come together.