Security boosted at shopping malls

Security has been beefed-up in Nairobi's Village Market mall on September 23, 2013 following attacks at the Westgate mall with motorist and people entering the mall frisked thoroughly by guards, plain-clothes officers and armed policemen. Photo/JEFF ANGOTE  

In Summary

• At the Village Market, which is frequented by Muthaiga and Runda residents as well as diplomats from the UNEP headquarters in Gigiri, one has to pass through a minimum of two checkpoints before getting in.

By Nation Correspondent
Popular Nairobi shopping malls are reviewing their security procedures in the wake of the Westgate attack.

The malls have come up with additional security measures, including hiring more security guards and ensuring thorough checks of vehicles entering the premises.

At the Village Market, which is frequented by Muthaiga and Runda residents as well as diplomats from the UNEP headquarters in Gigiri, one has to pass through a minimum of two checkpoints before getting in.

Vehicles are also subjected to an external check before proceeding to a separate area where the inside is also scrutinised.

“We also have four to six armed police officers patrolling the area at any one time,” said the managing director, Mr Hamed Ehsani, adding that they are considering increasing the number.

The number of entrances has also been reduced from five to three, according to assistant security manager David Onyapidi.

“All vehicles have to be checked, including those with diplomatic or government number plates, those of employees and those making deliveries,” he said.

Increased security checks are also being observed at Sarit Centre and Ukay Centre, which was re-opened on Saturday, one week after the attack at the neighbouring Westgate Mall.

Business is, however, yet to resume fully, with customers still keeping away from the shopping malls.

At Sarit Centre, the usually busy food outlets were below capacity. Other business owners also said that customer numbers had decreased noticeably.

“In the first few days after the attack, we saw the number of visitors drop by up to 80 per cent. Currently, we are at about 50 per cent,” said Mr Ehsani. He added that they usually experience this whenever travel advisories are issued or terrorism cases in the city are reported.