Terror in Nairobi Panorama

second blow to the same area for days later. Time now for Panorama.

atrocities since September 11. They atrocities since September 11. They

were spraying bullets everywhere. Grenades were being thrown. 67

people are known to have died, carried out by al—Shabab. They were

coming towards us. I was trained to get everyone out of the way. The

terrors made it in under the radar to massacre people. They asked if I

was Muslim. And I was Muslim. . to massacre people. They asked if I

pointed the gun at my wife and baby. A week before the horror, I was

pointed the gun at my wife and baby. can you tracing the pipeline that

smuggles recruits to al—Shabab in We almost approaching the final

smuggles recruits to al—Shabab in of the journey to a small island off

The recruits come from all over of the journey to a small island off

world. I would like to take the Muslims living in the lands of

disbelief to the lands of the hat. We talk to a radical mosques and

Perry can can you who says that We talk to a radical mosques and

attack was justified. For the attack as it is allowed in Islam. We cannot

be slaughtered everywhere in the world and to sit and cry. We have to

The Westgate shopping centre opened its doors that Saturday morning

The Westgate shopping centre opened bright Nairobi day. The storm clouds

of the previous night had gone. bright Nairobi day. The storm clouds

facing bleak futures. Radical Islam had been in Kenya for two weeks

facing bleak futures. Radical Islam feeds upon such discontent. The

the conditions in which most Kenyans feeds upon such discontent. The

the conditions in which most Kenyans live. On Saturdays the centre would

shoppers. We have been to Westgate centre need times, my mum and I

shoppers. We have been to Westgate we go there every other day. This is

a British woman living in Nairobi. She was having an everyday family

dispute. I was watching some TV She was having an everyday family

my brother and my mum said she was going to Westgate. I said I did

my brother and my mum said she was want to go because I wanted to watch

TV. Ben was heading to Westgate want to go because I wanted to watch

meeting in town. Last Saturday was like any other Saturday. I did not

have a busy day. After the meeting we decided to have lunch. With

regular events and parties aimed at children, Westgate was renowned

regular events and parties aimed at being family friendly. On the second

floor terrace, a radio station's cookery competition was well under

wanted to do. But the piece of an cookery competition was well under

wanted to do. But the piece of an ordinary Saturday was about to be

shattered. Ben was waiting to go ordinary Saturday was about to be

shattered. Ben was waiting to go through security. They were checking

the boots of our car. I saw two gunmen go away. I had —— I heard a

Eyewitnesses describe seeing a gunmen go away. I had —— I heard a

Eyewitnesses describe seeing a gunmen into vehicles. A Kenyan

search them. They were adamant they that we predicted his identity.

search them. They were adamant they did not want to be searched. When he

came he was shot. It's now believed there were up to 15 terrorists and

that shop workers had seen some there were up to 15 terrorists and

them making trips to a rented unit something that was planned in a

them making trips to a rented unit It must have taken them sometime and

the sophistication also indicates surveillance of the building and

knew exactly what they wanted and where to go. As the shooting started

in the superstore on the ground competition was still going on.

in the superstore on the ground now a second attack on Westgate

in the superstore on the ground beginning. A separate group of

gunmen reached the second floor terrace where more than 100 children

and parents were gathered for the cookery contest. A grenade went

and parents were gathered for the I think he shot at us as well, this

guy. I watched this bullet hit the wall. It missed my son's head just

like that. And it hit the little boy next to him. They came fast. They

us. Anything that was moving they were just shooting. There were two

wearing black. They said, you know, were just shooting. There were two

wearing black. They said, you know, we don't normally harm women and

children but you didn't spare our women and children and his colleague

just opened fire. Chillingly, the attackers began to separate Muslims

up and went up to one of the gunmen. from non—Muslims. Aleem started

yes, I am. And then he pointed the He asked me are you Muslim? I said,

yes, I am. And then he pointed the gun at my wife and baby and said, is

this your woman? I said yes, she is. He said, ask her to cover up and go.

Aleem and his family escaped. Others questions. It was a matter of life

or death. These guys were asking is there any other Muslim family or

Muslim person? I think one gentleman said that I am a Muslim, I think he

panicking shoppers pressing around them, Tanisha and her mother fled to

the floor above and they hid with storeroom. I was really scared

because there was a lot of bangs and gunfire. I thought the police had

come like, right after we hit, but didn't. We jammed the door with

come like, right after we hit, but of the big tables and we took cover

finally stopped shooting and moved and just stayed there. We couldn't

me to keep everybody calm. I am into the building. It just fell

play dead. They won't look at us, telling the kids, please be quiet.

play dead. They won't look at us, play dead. By the time they reached

happen to us. The fact that we may be killed is nothing but a glad

tidings. I would like to take this opportunity to call those who are

living in the lands of disbelief to the lands of jihad. There has been

speculation that the White Widow was al—Shabab's propaganda offensive. If

example of how a Brit has been Al—Shabab sees Kenya as a gateway to

jihad for young Muslims from all over the world. This is where it all

historic port on can you's eastern seaboard. —— Kenya. Almost 40% of

the population is Muslim. It is seaboard. —— Kenya. Almost 40% of

epicentre of militant Islamic will is to it is where radicalise is

epicentre of militant Islamic will radicalised join forces. We should

not be surprised that there is evidence that Samantha Lewthwaite

was in Lomb —— Mombasa just laugh —— evidence that Samantha Lewthwaite

was in Lomb —— Mombasa just laugh —— last year. Her best ever did was

found in the lining of this suitcase in an apartment in the city. The

apartment has been known to be visited by Jermaine Grant. He is

Lewthwaite is suspected of being an currently on trial in Mombasa for

Lewthwaite is suspected of being an community in East Africa? From

inspire, it is not just a movement al—Shabab's point of view it is

inspire, it is not just a movement which is absurdist with local Somali

issues. It isn't issue with an ideology which reaches out to people

as far as London. One of Mombasa's high—profile clerics is this man.

The UN describes him as a leading facilitator and recruiter of young

Kenya Muslims for violent militant activity in Somalia. He denies

recruiting for an funding al—Shabab. Being a moderate Muslim is accepting

what your enemies wanted to be. You are not a moderate Muslim. I am

what your enemies wanted to be. You and I never will be. I will follow

Islam by the teachings. I look for Islam as part of the teachings of

Obama and Tony Blair. He took me to this school outside of Mombasa.

Obama and Tony Blair. He took me to son is a pupil here. He says many of

the children are orphans. They appeared happy and looked well.

the children are orphans. They memorise the Koran almost from the

moment they can read. In Mombasa, outside the school, his ideology has

a following among some discontented young Muslims. We know that he is

brainwashed into joining Al—Shabaab. the main link through which young

brainwashed into joining Al—Shabaab. However you cannot that into a way

law. He also told me, a week before However you cannot that into a way

law. He also told me, a week before the Westgate attack, that Western

law. He also told me, a week before claims it is retaliation for the

it to ATPU. ATPU then tortures me claims it is retaliation for the

it to ATPU. ATPU then tortures me here, using British money. Once

dangerous to leave. I spoke to two young Kenyans among the few who

managed to escape. They still fear for their lives, which is why we

have called one of them Ali. The reason I decided to go to Somalia

was because of poverty and the offer they made me. It was very convincing

to accept such an offer because they made me. It was very convincing

that time I could not afford to they made me. It was very convincing

for school fees to continue with my studies. I was around 13 or 14 years

Khaled. The reason I went to Somalia is because of my religion. In Islam,

the Prophet Mohammed used to perform jihad. I wanted to fight for my

religion. The person who encouraged me was Sheikh Rogo. Sheikh Rogo

religion. The person who encouraged close associate of Makaburi. He

religion. The person who encouraged Abu Qatada and Abu Hamza rolled

religion. The person who encouraged providing financial material and

last year when he was riddled with 17 bullets. He was taking his wife

state—sponsored Kenyan hit squad, 17 bullets. He was taking his wife

state—sponsored Kenyan hit squad, but nothing was ever proved. After

his death, Makaburi became one of Kenya's most prominent radical

clerics. Do you support Al—Shabab and what they are trying to achieve

in Somalia? Supporting Al—Shabab as ideology of Sharia law, yes. But do

you support out about using violence to achieve the Sharia law Government

state that he would support? I would not say that they are using violence

to support Sharia law. Al—Shabab have every right to stop an invasion

into their own country. They have every right to govern a country

into their own country. They have way they see fit. The wilds of

Somalia is where Al—Shabab has its base. It is an anarchic failed state

on the Horn of Africa, ridden with two decades of civil war between

competing ideological factions and warlords. Al—Shabab, meaning the

youth, was born out of the radical Islamist group known as the Islamic

Courts Union, that seized power Islamist group known as the Islamic

muggy at issue in 2006 then imposed Sharia law. —— in Mogadishu. They

African Union forces five years America. Callous brutality became

were tired and then they made him Al—Shabab's bloody signature. It was

were tired and then they made him kneel down. —— were tied up. They

took a sharp knife and right in front of me they slaughtered him,

cutting his throat. Khaled was also front of me they slaughtered him,

did not come back again. One was shocked. The last thing I saw were

did not come back again. One was seven years old and the other was

six or five. They were young. So how do recruits to Al—Shabab get into

Somalia? We have been investigating the secret pipeline that takes them

there. The first Kenyan leg of the jihadist journey begins in Mombasa.

It is a stifling seven—hour trip by bus. We were warned about the last

150 miles North of Malindi, where an attack by bandits, not terrorists,

was likely. Then it is onto a boat which is predominantly Muslim, the

oldest Swahili settlement in Kenya. —— Lamu Island. Jihadist recruits

would not seem out of place here. It is a town where Sheikh Rogo remains

a well—known figure. You can readily buy a DVD about his assassination.

The waters around the island are patrolled by the Kenyan Navy, on the

many recruits to Al—Shabab pass commander of the Kenyan fleet. Do

many recruits to Al—Shabab pass through this area? Yes, this is

many recruits to Al—Shabab pass area with waterways that causes

many recruits to Al—Shabab pass movement in the backwaters. If

somebody is doing something illegal, they keep out of the open sea. The

final leg of the journey is from remote Pate Island. From here, would

But Kenyan forces have had some success in cutting this pipeline.

Operation Sledgehammer cleared out Al—Shabab from its main base here.

What difference has that made? A Al—Shabab was in control of Kismayo,

it was the only way they could move fighters from southern Somalia,

it was the only way they could move significant. But did success in

Kismayo lead the Kenyan authorities to underestimate the shifting threat

from Al—Shabab? A week before the Westgate attack at a media event in

Mombasa, with new squad cars being handed over to the police, I managed

to put the question to the Interior Minister. Young Kenyans and people

from elsewhere are going to Somalia to join Al—Shabab and fight jihad.

That used to be the case. We don't think it is the case now. We are

Force went to Somalia because we do fighting. That is why the Defence

Force went to Somalia because we do terrorism. We fight Al—Shabab. We

questions. But now after Westgate, took it to Somalia. Minister Lenku

questions. But now after Westgate, questions are being asked at home

there were warnings. They should intelligence failings. It is alleged

a shopping mall in Nairobi. Shopping have been prepared for an attack on

a shopping mall in Nairobi. Shopping terrorist group. You have got a

crowded place full of people. You are going to be targeting a diverse

population. You know you are going are going to be targeting a diverse

population. You know you are going Al—Shabab has declared that the

attack was Ravel or Kenya's assault on their base at Kismayo, but they

have a much wider agenda. —— the attack was revenge for the assault.

slaughtered everywhere in the world and just sit and cry. We have to

react. You come into an Islamic country, you are on governments

react. You come into an Islamic attack Islamic countries, you give

them money to kill innocent Muslims, it is the right thing to do. The

final death toll at Westgate has yet to be established. Al—Shabab claims

there are still many more bodies to religious because my colleague who

died, Rahila, was Muslim. She was six months pregnant and Muslim.

died, Rahila, was Muslim. She was cannot be about religion. This is

not about Islam and it never will forgiveness, caring. This is not

Islam. Last night in Nairobi there were vigils in remembrance of the

successfully challenged, there will were vigils in remembrance of the

successfully challenged, there will probably be more recruits ready