Roundup: Kenya marks 2nd anniversary of Westgate attack amid tight vigilance

The Kenyan authorities on Monday beefed up security in the capital Nairobi and other towns across the country as the country marked the second anniversary of the Westgate terror attack.

The attack on the Westgate mall in Nairobi by Somalia-based Al-Shabaab militants killed 67 people.

Police said the attack has affected a number of key sectors, such as tourism, which are still trying to restore their full operational capacities.

Police spokesman Charles Owino urged Kenyans to maintain vigilance at all times in the country and report any suspicious persons in their midst.

"In as much as we are trying to ensure your safety, you must also play your part. Ensure vigilance at all times," Owino assured the country of heightened security.

The spokesman said searching and frisking in social establishments including shops, supermarkets, hotels and other areas must be thoroughly done.

Normal operations were disrupted at the country's largest retail chain, Nakumatt, early Monday as workers observed a minute of silence in memory of the departed souls and victims of the terror attack.

The retail chain, which has also branches in Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, suffered the loss of three of its staff two years ago in its Westgate store.

"Challenges should make you stronger, not bring you down," said David Muturi, Nakumatt Westgate manager.

"Peace can only be kept by understanding. Happy World International Peace Day," he said as staff lit candles.

Westgate survivors and their families held brief interdenominational prayers at the Westgate Mall to commemorate the day.

The prayers were led by respective Nakumatt branch chaplains and catechists, and were also opened to members of the public. The new upscale shopping mall, rebuilt at a cost of 19 million U.S. dollars, was reopened in July this year.

At midday on September 21, 2013, Somalia based Al-Shabaab gunmen stormed the mall, spayed shoppers with bullets, killing 67 people and wounding over 200 others.

Meanwhile, a group of businessmen and activists from the capital's Eastleigh residential estate inhabited by Kenyans of Somali origins, held a street procession to commemorate the day.

The group, which also included lawmakers, marched in the estate as they put aside their religious differences, calling for peace to prevail in the East African nation.

Area lawmaker Yusuf Hassan, a victim of the terror attack, said they plan to stage several other processions that will ensure peaceful co-existence between Christian and Muslims.

"We will not allow the work of terrorists to create hatred among us. We want to send them a message that Muslims are not a part of their evil agendas," said Hassan.

Some local officials said Westgate attack created friction among residents of Easleigh, and the walk was part of healing the nation and creating trust between the two religions.

"It is a beautiful coincidence that we mark this event on a day set aside to mark World Peace day. As a leader, when such an attack happens, you are tossed about trying to reassure your people that they can still live and work together," said Chief Jawahir Mohammed, a local government administrator. Enditem