Ghanaian poet and diplomat Kofi Awoonor is among the 68 killed during the attack on Westgate Mall. He died on Saturday, aged 78, from injuries sustained in the attack on Westgate Mall, Nairobi, Telegraph UKreports.
His death was confirmed
by Ghanaian government early Sunday morning.
Awoonor’s son had been shot in the
shoulder during the attack, for which Somali militant group Al-Shabab has
claimed responsibility, and was treated and discharged from hospital late on
Saturday.
Awoonor who was in Nairobi to speak at the Storymoja
Hay Festival, a four-day celebration of writing, thinking and storytelling. He was due to perform on Saturday evening as
part of a showcase of award-winning poetry from both sides of Africa.
Police conceded that the
death toll could be “much, much higher”, after reports from inside of multiple
bodies.
The attack began when
gunmen from the Islamist Shabaab terrorist group burst into the upmarket mall with guns and grenades.
Unconfirmed reports said
that some of those killed were reportedly executed after failing to recite a Muslim
prayer at gunpoint.
However, the British Prime
Minister, David Cameron condemned the “despicable attack,” saying it was an act
of “appalling brutality.”
“Because the situation
is ongoing, we should prepare ourselves for further bad news,” he added.
President Kenyatta said
one of his nephews and his nephew’s fiancée were among the 68 people confirmed
killed.
“They shall not get away
with their despicable and beastly acts,” the President said in an emotional
speech to the nation. “We will punish the masterminds swiftly and indeed very
painfully.”
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