September the 21st 2013...

“.....The Somali pirates plan to take the crew hostage and hold them for ransom, but since they are hiding, they go off to look for them...” I was caught mid-sentence by the flickering power which stabilized after a few seconds. I continued working on the content I was writing. Having joined Westgate shopping mall management 9 days prior the attack as a Marketing assistant, it was my responsibility to update among others, the mall’s monthly newsletter. I was working on the movie of the month and had chosen “Captain Phillips” which was due for release on 13^th October 2013. It is about an American ship attacked and held hostage by Somali pirates...little did I know something almost similar and more gruesome was about to happen.

I continued writing but was again distracted, this time by a loud bang that was hard to ignore. I heard people screaming and everyone scurried to the front door to find out what was happening. Our offices were on the first floor making it easy to access the rear entry of the mall. I ran to that direction and stood outside craning my neck to see as far as I could. I could see nothing and my first thought was that fire had broken out somewhere on the ground floor. Gun shots rent the air coming towards our direction. I dismissed the fire outbreak thought and concluded a robbery was taking place in one of the many banks the mall housed. Everyone dashed back inside and I caught a glimpse of my sister amidst the confusion. We worked in the same office her being in the Accounts department. We went back in the office, into the filing room, switched off all the lights and tightly secured the door.

 It was very dark inside and it took some time before I could get accustomed to the darkness. Continuous gunshots were being heard from every direction, inside and outside the mall. Never before in my life had I heard such loud noises. I looked around and could make out about 30 of us in the tiny room, both staff and non-staff. The whole floor having been occupied, I had managed to squeeze myself in a corner knowing that in a few minutes time, everything will clear and we will be safe. The room had no windows and soon enough, the air changed from clean and fresh to musty and thick, the heat inside was also becoming unbearable and people started stripping off any clothing they felt was too heavy. 

My sister suggested we talk to a relative in case bad went to worse. I was against it since all along I knew it was nothing serious. Any who, she sent a text to my uncle, at least someone knew where we were. We decided not to tell my mum anything as she would get very scared. We stayed still in silence save for the thundering sounds outside. Sms started coming in “are you at work today?” “What’s happening at Westgate?” Are you inside the mall?” I hurriedly explained to them that there was a probable robbery in the mall but would end say in 30 minutes time. 

I logged in to face book to follow up what was happening, sixteen notifications and twelve messages, that was weird having had logged in like an hour ago. I went through the posts and then I saw it...    “Terror attack at Westgate” “Westgate under siege” ....terror attack?? Not robbery?? , not well convinced, I browsed through my wall and friends had written all sorts of concern messages “stay silent and don’t use your phone”  “don’t mean to scare you but it’s a terror attack” well, that scared me to the bone. Shit just got real!! I made a few phone calls to my friends and family, some dismissed me as I was whispering and they couldn’t clearly make out what I was trying to say.

By now, everyone in the room had got wind of what was happening and there was every manner of reaction. People started calling their loved ones with shaky voices, others stared too long on their mobile phones wallpapers to get a glimpse of their spouses and kids not certain if it’s for the last time, others stared into space with a blank look on their face, a young Indian girl standing beside me was shaking uncontrollably, one guy obviously too scared let out a fart that cut through the stuffy room...that one was funny though. I just stood at my corner in a crouching position my legs having had enough of my weight. So many phone calls were coming through but I couldn’t pick any. No one could, we were all supposed to remain silent. Images of previous terror attacks started flashing through my mind, blood everywhere, bodies sprawled on the streets, blown up buildings and cars...a shudder ran through my body. The manager was trying to calm everyone down, her efforts were futile. A room previously filled with files was now heavy with tension and uncertainty...I was not ready to die.

A text came through...it was my mum “ARE U SAFE?” I didn’t know what to reply. There she was, several kilometres away, obviously tormented and worried and here I am not sure of what was going to happen to us. I looked at my sister sited on the floor, looking pale and frightened, she looked back at me with a faraway look “are u okay?” she signalled, I nodded affirmative with a heavy heart. “We are safe, but still inside the mall” I typed painfully knowing that was not the assurance she needed...

Word came in that they were killing non-Muslims, anyone who could not recite the shahada – an Islamic creed. “La ilaha illallah....” everyone was trying to cram the phrase. I remember back in high school I used to be cramming queen especially in Biology essays but with this one, I just ended up confusing myself “lala ila laha..., allah ilala...” I gave up.

I managed to secure a “seat” on the floor next to my sister, I felt very relieved after having stood for so long. The gunshots were still very loud and near, they no longer scared me, I had gotten accustomed. 5.48 pm, 6 hours later, no signs of being rescued but I remained hopeful all through. By now, some people had fallen asleep, the wait was unbearable. We continued sitting in silence, save for the sniffs, phone beeps and shhhhhh! Sounds coming from every corner of the room. Earlier in the day, I had visited the rooftop which was full of happy kids holding a cooking competition, they were so many of them some accompanied by their parents. I tried to imagine their fate...only God knows. “I can see people coming out of the mall” a text came through. This raised my hopes; the light at the end of the tunnel was no longer an approaching train.

“Police, open”...suddenly a loud knock rattled everyone. No one moved an inch. How could we know for sure it was the police? We held our breaths; I could literally hear my sister’s heartbeat. The manager received a confirmation call; it was indeed the police, alas! Help had arrived!! Quickly but silently, the door was opened and there was a sigh of relief from everyone after breathing in the almost fresh air. Red cross Secretary General Abbas Gullet led the rescue team which mostly comprised of white guys. Some of them had pistols; I had never come that close to one before. We collected our bags hastily and formed a file...we were ready to get out.

One by one, we marched out of the office...the gunshots had now reduced. The environment outside was so lone, a mall earlier filled with traffic and loads of activities was now empty and eerie, I could see blood drops, smashed glass and empty bullets cases as we walked through the corridors. Avril lavigne’s song “I’m with you” was playing from the speakers above our heads, it created such a solemn mood. Everyone was silent...there we were walking on the deserted lanes, no bullet proof vests, no weapons, the terrorists still inside...anything could have happened. We went up the stairs all the way to the rooftop. Two police officers armed with Ak47 rifles and chains of bullets manned the exit. They treated everyone like a suspect, we were searched extensively. Anyone who behaved strangely was secluded and done a more extensive search. They were not taking chances.

Finally we were outside; I could not believe we had made it out safely. A young lady out of relief became hysterical; she was quickly rushed to a waiting ambulance and attended to. We all got in an AAR ambulance that was supposed to ferry us to Nakumatt Ukay. No sooner had the driver switched on the engine than shootings started coming from inside the building. Out of fear, he  abandoned the ambulance and we all followed suit. We sat down cowering behind the cars, the shootings continued, we had to flee. We ran, crawled, and slided our way to Ukay, all the time shielding our heads and ears...it was like an action movie scene, one I would never forget for a lifetime. We got safely to Ukay where we were given water and then to Visa Oshwal hall. The hall was full of survivors, snacks and drinks; it was like a reunion party. Most people obviously shaken were hugging, embracing and crying. We were so many of us, but sadly some people’s name missed from the list...their fate unknown.

 

All through we were communicating with my uncle, you could sense the relief in his voice when we told him we were out. He told us to meet him at Mpaka road; he had been waiting for us all through. I called my Mum and told her the good news...she was already on her way to Nairobi, from Nyeri. He drove us to his place in Ngong and the welcome was so warm. Friends and relatives had gathered in his house and more were on the way. I was overwhelmed by their love and concern. My mum came in around 7.30 pm; she was so happy and relieved to see us. That was the second time I had seen her so elated the first time being on our graduation day (my sister and I). We held a small fellowship to worship God, it was indeed a miracle and we had every reason to give thanks to him. 

Later, my mum told us of a dream she had dreamt on the eve of the tragic day. In the dream, she had seen university students running out of a big building and she could make out my sister and me among them. A few minutes later, she had seen the building collapse, .....Well, I’m not saying my mum is psychic but for all I know a mother knows when her children are in danger.

Love,

Ann.