Westgate Committee to Hold Public Hearings

The committee which was formed following a terrorist attack on the WestGate Mall also added that it will hold its sittings at the Nairobi County Government’s Charter Hall.

In a statement to newsrooms, Committee Vice Chairman, Wahome Muchiri, explained that the sittings will be staged to receive formal submissions from the stakeholders and the public touching on the rapid restoration of the Westgate Shopping Mall.

Muchiri also added that the committee has been making wide and extensive consultations with various stakeholders as it gears up to make relevant recommendations.

Muchiri pointed out that the committee’s recommendations will address necessary measures for the quick restoration of business at the Mall, restoration of shoppers’ confidence as well as stabilization of the local retail sector.

Muchiri also called on all those wishing to appear before the Committee are to register on or before Sunday 19 January 2014.

Muchiri further added that the Public Hearings will be held from Monday 20th January to Friday 24th January, 2014 between 9.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs each day. 

The committee was appointed by East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie, late last year is mandated to advise the government on the speedy recovery mechanisms for the Westgate Shopping Mall to avert unnecessary job and related economic losses.

Members of the committee appointed by Cabinet Secretary Kandie through a Kenya Gazette Notice No. 14929 of 29 November 2013 include: Evans Odhiambo Kidero (Dr.) − Chairman,  Wahome Muchiri, Vice Chairman, Ibrahim Mohamed (Dr.),-PS, Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism,  Atul Shah,-Nakumatt Holdings,  Alfred Ng’ang’a, Corporate Communications Consultant, Faiyaz Kurji,-Italian Menswear, Sagi Vaknin,-Artcaffe, Biwott Ng’eny-Chairman KCB Group, Joseph Nyonje Kosure,- Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism, Kaplich Barsito,- Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism,  Jane Bosibori Makori,-Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Levin Mwandi, -Deputy Commissioner of Police, Monica Wangui Thirima,-Insurance Regulatory Authority,   Mary Wahome,-Association of Kenya Insurers, Mwenda Njoka- Ministry of Interior and co-ordination of National Government Strategic Communications Advisor and Tom Odongo,- County Executive Member Nairobi County Government.

The committee members are also expected to visit the Westgate Shopping Mall site on16th January 2014 morning.

This will be what they termed as “a fact-finding tour”.

By

Wangui Ngechu