The Role of Voluntarism situation at Westgate.

 In School the teacher used to come to class and ask for volunteers to undertake certain assignment on behalf of the class like carrying text books or going out and pushing some vehicle that had a hard start. there would always be some people who were quick to raise their hands. For some it was because there would be a reward in return for others it was for recognition but for some it is for the sake of Serving Humanity without any expectation. this has carried on to days outside school.

Last year at a time like this several members of our organisation were busy in Nairobi at the Westgate mall, participating in a rescue operation to save Shoppers from a Gang of armed thugs who had invaded the plush center and turned it to a battle zone ruthlessly and mercilessly attacking them with Guns and explosives. This despicable act of violence left Many dead and others nursing injuries that take a long time to heal.

whereas this seems to bring out the pain and suffering it also showed the humanity and voluntarism exposed  by the members of the public. There were scenes of newsmen supporting the injured to safety, Armed Officers carrying babies while holding their firearms, elderly men giving advise to Senior Police officers and private gun holders confronting the terrorists with their hand guns and pushing them to enable others get to safety.


After the first day calls for support went out to the public, great response in form of individual donations to the victims, donation of Blood and also food for the volunteers and soldiers who were at the scene began to arrive. some of the members had stayed on at the scene for over 36 hours and had to be replaced to refresh and also make arrangements from their employers since it was Monday after a really tough week end. there were others to take over from them and the teams began setting up for a long term rescue operation.

As senior officers of the National Security were visiting the site a cordon perimeter had extended to over 400 meters from the site. The Military medical teams and very specialized Medical officers were within the center. A triage center had been set up at the Visa Oshwal community center. Volunteers from several organizations worked from there the first day but later only the critical teams of St John and Red cross were left on site on the third day.

 Occasional gun fire would be heard coming from the site and later a loud bang accompanied by thick smoke spewed from the parking side of the Building.

Courtesy of NTV one of the Volunteers who went in and helped many leave the building.

Police officers give their account of what happened courtesy of KTN.

A combined team of ambulances from Red Cross, Avenue Care, St. John and others not shown in the Video courtesy of  K24. these people worked tirelessly and together to ensure the injured received treatment.

It is hoped that with support from the public and well wishers the service to mankind may be greatly enhanced if more people learn first aid skills and more specialized equipment and rescue vehicles were available for use by the rescue teams.


But the real place to start is prevention of such incidences from happening. an effort to community based security such as the Nyumba Kumi can go along way for the Nation and the International Community.

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