Our national intelligence service team urgently requires reinforcement with more intelligent and youth full people. But bravo to our armed forces for their quick action that saved many lives who would otherwise could have been lost. Pole to our brothers and sisters who lost loved ones to this beastly act of terrorists.

Wonderful work by your security services. This awful business will not stop me coming next month to see my Kenyan friends in Samburu and the Mara. God bless Kenya

Sergeant Major Frank Musungu must acknowledge God's deliverance. Surely he was delivered from death

anybody who is bashing and talking ill of our Kenyan security forces is surely missing the point. Terrorists always attack with the element of surprise so even no matter how many GSU or police were stationed at Westgate mall, these attackers would still attack by shooting instantly, not giving the Kenyan security officers any time to prepare. God bless our security forces, God bless Kenya.

I hope they take a few alive so that we can squeeze information from them as to who the ring leaders are. This will help us squash the whole group and avoid a repeat of a similar situation. Plus if we get them alive we can make them an example to any body else aspiring to commit another terrorist act. They must be made to pay dearly.

i think we should stop blaming nsis,cid,kenya police. Dont forget this org have bureaucracy " chain of command". Honestly we should start respecting this men and women who protect us everyday with whatever small equipment they are given.
We as kenyans have shown great solidarity and have triumphed. We should not forget that terrorism is real. To all Kenyans we should not blame poverty for stupid mistakes. one stupid mistake can cost alot of lives and property. Hope Kenyans we have a learnt and we should not forget those tighten security in all boarders.
Kudos to all Kenyans.

we are together as one

I thank army for joining that stuation... GOD give them power to end the stuatino

We are acting like terrorist attacks only happen in Kenya. They happen everywhere including the countries we all call safe to live in UK, USA, Finland, Spain and even in Africa we have Uganda where al shabbab killed 70 and Nigeria. There was the Mumbai terrorist attacks in 2008 that lasted 3-4 days with about 160 people dead. It doesn't matter how good your security is or even your intelligence you just have to be well prepared and from security to your emergency services. I agree with you guys thats something must be done on Kenya's security. I think the Kenyan security forces can only work with the little they have to work with. They don't have the right training and equipment they are doomed to fail from the get go. I think we need to just come together as one nation and forget our differences and give them the support that they need cause they are the ones going into the line of fire will everyone else is getting out.

How do you fellows come to the language or the terminology of
Weakness,or weak act of cowrdiness? the real point of discussion should
be ,how did these few some fellows from Somali manage to enter in this
beautiful and expensive Westgate Mall?,,where were the big heavy kenyan
security that is every time to beat and shoot to kill ordinary Kenyans
after every elections since Independence,just becausee the ordinary
Kenyan Mwanainchi decided to go peaceful to vote,and perhaps without
weapons tend to practice his her basic human right to demonstrate
peacefully in a mass action.....! Who is really weak in this
situation?where were the KDF?what happened to the CID?what work does the
so-called intelligency Agency?why nobody never knew about the coming of
this terrible and horrible moment in the history of the new
Administration?.God bless the ordinary Kenyan and may those dead find
peace and rest in God´s hand,however the security of ordinary kenyans
have not be taken very serious with this Jubilee Administration since
everything they do,and perform is done in a bigger scale for ICC
matters,than Kenya as a republic,and lots of million Dollars are being
spending not on security of Mwanainchi but on the security of a few,and
buying everything just to come out of Rome Statute,which is given lots
of attention and paid for that security issues are left under the
Kitchen Politic.Now the question is"who is really weak and cowrd to
protected and secure his or her people?.What about the terror in
Moyale,Garrissa,Tana river etc,etc....?Who is really weak?.What is the
first resposibility of a government?....This government since its coming
in power its all about ICC,Rome Statute,and forgot the really enemy of
Kenyan is not ICC or Rome Statute but the neighbours around the
corner,the so-called Al-shaabab...!God bless ordinary Kenyan without
security ,and may God rest those dead in peace,and the seriously injured
quick recovery to good health.

Are you trying to imply that our security apparatus lives at westgate mall or you had actually alerted them of a possible attack? Grow up and kindly shed the name Biko, you are soiling it.

I am disgusted with Kenyans who are speaking ill of our security forces. Terrorists have been known to attack ,maim and kill innocent people all over the world. It is not an issue of local security forces being unprepared or inadequate, it is an issue of cowardly and surprise attacks!! Terrorists disregard human rights to safety and the Geneva convention, period. - Githui, Seatte, WA.

Obama, kindly take the honors and go after these terrorists. Hit them hard wherever they go. Somali government need to help capture and destroy all alshabab once and for all. Let the world protect kenya at this hour of need.

They came to die and that is their happiness, and especially dieing after killing many

In this upscale mall where the honorable presidents sister was and there is a security guard at a security gate and we have cell phone and news camera video yet we only have video OF SECURITY CAMERAS YET WE HAVE NO VIDEO -FROM- SECURITY CAMERAS ,how is this so.

As much as you give total attention to the Westgate attack,please remember that now we need security more than ever.My condolences go to my brothers and sisters who were caught in the scene.I think,dream and see Kenya as a united nation.

A fellow kenyan was calling me here xenophobic when i said we should identify any foreign allein in kenya especially the somali community since they are in big number. We have to change the system at the immigration and local police , lets starts with landlords , let them file the names of each and every person residing in their houses and this data should build henceforth, i repeat from korogocho to runda , we start from there to fight not only terrorism but crime also , this is something should have done long time , data management can help you fight such crimes and new laws on residency should be put in place kenya government should stop sleeping on many things.

you got that!! i am with you!! this is the only way because only then will they realise that they are making thwir fellow btothers and sisters suffer!! i am with you 100%. Since they are refugees...then they belong to the refugee camps and that is the only place they should be seen!!

Kenyan police, please use ur mind to abort such incidents. Dont know why Kenya is an easy target for those coward somalian terriorists. RIP brothers and sisters

Maybe it is time that as a country we introduced a foreigners identification and tracking system. We need to know where every foreigner is coming from, where he is staying... hotel and flat, their business here and whether we really need them. One more thing, we need a policy specifically with our eastern neighbors. The US has a very regulated border with Mexico and not Canada, the reason is simple, drugs and illegal immigrants. We need strict border control with Somalia.

not now to play blame game....let's deal with the situation first.

All will be fine with prayers

these guys have jiggers in their heads,they ate the reasoning part of the brain,they eroded sane part of the brain which should think positively is in the sea. Totally brain washed . Long live Kenya.Evil will never triumph , united we are. God bless.

Before we start the blame game,lets give our forces credit. They have done the best,you put yourself in their shoes. come on people

We must start thinking security in new ways. Arm security guards with fire arms, not rungus. It is very foolish for example to find an askari guarding a bank armed with a rungu and a whistle. During this era of Al qaeda and Al Shabaab, and may be something more sinister tomorrow, we are guarding our children and property with a stick and whistle. We used stick when we did not have steel, and whistle when there was less noise around. Kenya must come of age in matters security. The president said the culprits will be punished 'swiftly and painfully'. I support the president on those sentiments. Kamiti Maximum is not for these misfits. I suggest we have our Quiantamo Bay equivalent. To me it matters not how young they are. Lock them up somewhere and throw away the key. Whowever is found trying to go and see them should be severely ostracized.

Can some one shout to Kenyan to be opening their eyes wide, please as we are waiting for the security to deal with the waste gate assailants, for our security purpose please stay away on crowdie people.

This is not the time for criticism,our security forces are professional in their job.

sorry my brothers and sisters. but Kenya should re-visit her security. if its true for heavens sake how can police take 2 hours to arrive ???. can you trust leaders of a country of 38 million, when attacked by 15 lumpens need help of foreign forces from Israel ??? When we in Uganda sent our brave troops to Somalia, many people thought we were wrong. its time now that Kenya joins uganda in full swing to rout alshababu forces out of Somalia. it seems Kenya has a lot of home grown terrorists, who are not easy to get. iam so touched as if I lost a brother, but trust kenya does not have any form of security, because any foreigner can come, stay and work in kenya without being asked any question !

Gachangi has to go, as head of Intelligence he has failed the Nation, In any mature democracy there would be mass resignations but since this is Africa we expect Uhuru to fire a few incompetent nincompoops.

It is time to flatten the so call Dubai malls in Estleigh area and the Garrisa stores wherever they are. It is time to stop importing stuff from Somalia including people. Its time its time to fish all the Somalis out. even those born in Kenya before they go for something bigger

amen sista!!

Sergeant Major? The Kenya army has sergeants, and it has majors, but no sergeant major. In armies that have sergeant majors, they are NCOs. Nor officers.

This is very sad and it puts very many questions to the security agencies. It takes more than 24 hours to contain the situation? This tells us more about the army, police and NSIS as well as CID. They need to do more in their jobs. Why now? Jubilee govt is engrossed in many bad moments, a reason told by others is because of stealing the election! The whole country is now made to pay painfully. See now we have MPigs in the Hague. Will they stay there or come home? Shame.

By the way, I whole heartedly comment the approach taken by my brother Frank Musungu in the situation he was in. He saved a lot of lives by telling the people to get down.
That is always supposed to be the first response any civilian should be taught as soon as you here gunfire. Get down. Don't run.

I think some bloggers here are being very narrow minded. I live here in Texas in USA and last week we had a guy walk into a Navy base next to White House and he killed 13 civilians and soldiers. We had an army officer kill 13 of his colleagues at Fort Hood in Killeen in 2009.
Let me remind Mr. Tom Odhiambo that the terrorists we have today don't look any different from you and me.
With your crying about stolen elections, you could turn into one and your mother will not know, leave alone your wife of police.
Let us focus on improving our security where we have seen some lapses and stop apportioning blame. That is exactly what the USA secretary of Defense has said.

I was in the Westgate mall hiding in the bins in the toilets near planet yogurt on the first floor. If it weren't for the NSIS or the Kenyan police and armed forces surely I would have died but thanks to them i managed to get out alive and unharmed.

As I sent my heartfelt condolences to the families of all the victims of West-gate Mall Terror attack.. I would like to call upon our president to use this as a wake up call. NSIS and CID should not be reserved for a few individuals but for experts. We Need not use our resources belittling politicians and rewarding a few tribes with NSIS posts at the cost of Kenyan security...KIMAIYO, MUHORO, IRINGO,

Avoid blame games for now. Let us contain and stabilise the situtaion and rescue other hostages. Beef up security in all sectors and key installations. Wish those injured speedy recovery and comfort families for our fallen innocent Kenyans. Kenyans will emerge winners and avoid a repeat of this heinous act by terorists. Meanwhile, closely track phone and elctronic media communications for clues as to those involved, so that the law takes its full course.

You are very brave man.thank you .you did your best..god be you!!

Its sad day but dont forget somalis too have been victims. Would surprising to see nywele ngumu among the attackers

Today we are a country awakened to danger and called to defend freedom. Our grief has turned to anger and anger to resolution. Whether we bring our enemies to justice or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done.

I thought after the recent attacks and threats we would change our security operations, but no! Unprofessional officers fill the ranks. Nsis is only a preserve of special people doing nothing, the regular police is a unit comprising of individuals out to strike it rich through bribery and all sorts of extortion. We've not deployed the true 1% that understand security whether it pays good or not. There is no discipline in the supposedly disciplined forces. Think about it how did these people get into the country if they are foreigners, didn't they go through roadblocks or immigrations? President Uhuru Kenyatta should bite the bullet and Fire the old guards in the Security apparatus. We have competent people ready to work to secure the country for peanuts, just the thought of serving the nation gives them satisfaction. Assailants well armed with RPK's and or Mk43 machine guns will definitely scatter the police and army. In military circles it is said whoever shoots the most lead wins the war. We need to retrain and arm the police well, AKs and G3 do not cut it anymore.Other places M4 carbines and special tactic weapons are given to police in urban environments. I am disappointed with our Security apparatus especially the famed recce squad.

To put it across in a few words: Uhuru inherited just about the poorest police force (service?) in the world in terms of gathering info, acting on the info and protecting lives and properties. We have a get-rich-anyway-you-can police officers, and I wonder if the NIS (renamed) actually functions. I recall a few months ago police officers somewhere in Eastern stopped and apprehended heavily armed terrorists who had not only been waived through many other previous roadblocks through N.Eastern, but also got escort service. The then interior minister (Katoo ole Metitu) reacted positively by suspending and sacking the errant officers and promoting the officers who acted right. But the lesson remains with us. We know these terrosrists didn't just sprout from the ground. They had internal help in bringing their arsenal in, some people turned blind eyes for cash.
I agree with you. The president's job is cut. And going by the current scenario, maybe it is about time we had the military policing while we build a new police service right from scratch. And a severe look at immigration dept. personnel is warranted too.

Like Tom, i have time and again written lengthly and actual facts about Kenya's security apparatus which are nothing but a shell of corrupted, untrained,unprepared and a politically misused human resources.I have always written from my heart to warn Kenyan citizens that the persons heading both external and internal security are very unqualified to say the least. The heads of NSIS, I.G and CID should have been made to esign becuae they are incharge of collecting security inteligence. August 1998 Bombings, they had no slightest clue, theer has been grenade attacks all over many towns..again no major clue and now a new level of threat at Westgate mall seems to be a new level of threat to Kenya's survival.I am sure this is neither the first nor the last as long as incompetent individuals head these important institutions. They are more concerned with the security of the politicians than of the nation.But of keen interest is the media that has been ignoring and deleting most of our sensitive comments for selfish motives or fear of reprisals from the government....and Now here we are! No one listens to us and no one wants even to read what we write. A complete overhaul and re-organization of Kenya's intelligence gathering and the politzical stooges heading the institutions! Period!

Easy for you to say seeing as the closest you will ever come to danger is at your computer screen and keyboard. Bure Kabisa!

I am proud of our security services. This is the same mo as in India, and they saved countless lives. The Jubilee manifesto gave proposals on security improvements, especially the single coordinated emergency unit, that earned my support and vote, and I have confidence in the current leadership's ability and progress in bringing this manifesto to reality. The coordinated response is a clear manifestation of some of the improvements.

God bless the victims and the bereaved, and scatter our enemies in 7 directions in Jesus name.

In your criticism, do not forget the heroes including police officers who died in the rescue operation and Red Cross workers and ordinary folks who stepped up to aid fellow citizens in the most horrific time.

Nonsense Mr Odhiambo & co, our Military are one of best in the World. Otherwise they couldn't have being serving & commanding at the UN world wide.
Our forces are handling Alshabab singlehandedly while others are trying to gain/steal the Credit.
Think < °°°°°°°°°°°° ○○○○○○○○○○○ > lip don't * 000 # limp

You are a pathetic individual. This is time to come together and help out where and when we can not time to point fingers.
Do you think the security apparatus is equipped with telepathy and ability to predict the future?

Complaining complaining all the time! Even the U.S itself has been a victim of terrorist attacks numerously. The security forces i n Kenya are not gods that they can be able to prevent each and every crime and attack.

The NSIS and CID are very good when it comes to helping in stealing elections. where were they? Bure kabisa