Hawkers cash in on terror attack video

A pirated DVD showing the terrorist attack at Westgate Mall that was on sale on Ronald Ngala street in Nairobi on October 3, 2013. Officials from the Kenya Film Classification Board raided movie stalls as hawkers selling them were arrested. Photo/ANTHONY OMUYA  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Running for 97 minutes, the film, narrated in Swahili, is a crude compilation of footage from news broadcasts and still images taken from various news sources
• The video, which has little in the way of a plot or commentary, was manufactured by a group called Titanic Videos

By Benjamin R. Nadler
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Several pirated DVDs showing the terrorist attack at Westgate Mall hit the streets of Nairobi on Tuesday and are flying off the shelves.

Hawkers around the Nairobi CBD are selling different movies depicting the attack and hundreds of copies were sold on the first day they became available.

Daily Nation reporters obtained and viewed a copy of one such video, called Terror Attack at Westgate.

ALL WALKS OF LIFE

A hawker near the Central Bus Station, who asked not to be identified for fear of prosecution, said the video was selling like hot cake.

During a 15-minute interview with Nation reporters, he sold more than five copies of the DVD, which cost Sh100 each.

He said Kenyans from all walks of life were snapping up the videos.

Running for 97 minutes, the film, narrated in Swahili, is a crude compilation of footage from news broadcasts and still images taken from various international news sources and pirated newscasts from NTV, KTN and Citizen TV.

It also features dramatic footage and images of the siege and rescue operation, as well as several interviews with top government officials.

It also contains long speeches by President Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

The video, which has little in the way of a plot or commentary, was manufactured by a group called Titanic Videos and claims to be an “original movie,” despite containing no original footage or analysis.

While the videos are likely to attract the ire of the police, many ordinary Kenyans also reacted with disgust at making a profit from the tragic events.

Ms Faith Osiemo, a Nairobi woman, said that she could not believe people were trying to make money from the attack. She said the film was “very, very offensive.”

Ms Osiemo also questioned the authenticity and quality of the film. “They haven’t investigated anything; they are just after our money,” she said.

Other people expressed curiosity about the DVD, saying, they would buy a copy if they came across one.