Team to restore Westgate set up

PHOTO | FILE Police take cover at Westgate mall during the terror attack on September 22, 2013. A committee has been created to advise on the rapid restoration of the Westgate shopping mall that was attacked by terrorists.  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Committee has a month to prepare report and present it to minister
• The 16-member committee, led by Nairobi governor Dr Evans Kidero, comprises prominent businesspeople, security experts and media practitioners, will advise on the immediate action and partnership between the government and the private sector in restoring business activities at the mall.

By OUMA WANZALA
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A committee has been created to advise on the rapid restoration of the Westgate shopping mall that was attacked by terrorists on September 21.

The 16-member committee, led by Nairobi governor Dr Evans Kidero, comprises prominent businesspeople, security experts and media practitioners, will advise on the immediate action and partnership between the government and the private sector in restoring business activities at the mall.

The committee has one month to prepare its report and present it to the cabinet secretary.

In a gazette notice dated November 25, 2013, cabinet secretary for East Africa Affairs, Commerce and Trade Philis Kandie, also named as members of the committee, Wahome Muchiri, Nakumatt supermarket managing director Atul Shah , Faiyaz Kurji,Sagi Vaknin, Biwott Ngeny, Dr Ibrahim Mohamed,Joseph Kosure, Kaplich Barsito, Alfred Ng’ang’a, Jane Makori, Levin Mwandi, Monica Wangui and Mary Wahome.

The joint secretaries of the committee will be Maina Kirori and Dr David Muigua.

The committee will also identify immediate action necessary to safeguard the possible loss of jobs resulting from the terror attacks and identify the affected stakeholders and their recovery needs.

RESTORE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE

The team will also advise the government on suitable primary and secondary security issues and other interventions to restore the confidence of the public and consumers in shopping malls and retail centres.

The committee will work with public stakeholders to attain consensus on interventions required to safeguard the shopping malls and centres.

They will also engage with the insurance industry to consider, on goodwill basis, how to assist businesses that did not have terror cover before the Westgate attack and prepare a report to facilitate an integrated recovery strategy.

The committee will hold its meetings in public and will receive evidence from individuals and experts as well as engage with institutions with the necessary expertise.