NAKUMATT BRANCHES TO OBSERVE WESTGATE TERROR ATTACK MEMORIAL THIS SUNDAY

Regional retailer Nakumatt Holdings has announced the scheduled late opening of all its branches across East Africa this Sunday to allow the firm observe the Westgate Shopping Mall Terror attack first anniversary memorial activities.

One year after the tragic terror attack, Nakumatt which hitherto operated its flagship store at the Westgate Mall will this Sunday conduct interdenominational religious prayers across its network.

Speaking when he confirmed the memorial plans ahead of the events, Nakumatt Holdings Managing Director Atul Shah disclosed that the supermarket chain will remain closed early morning for the prayers scheduled to commence at 9am on Sunday.

The prayers will be led by respective Nakumatt branch chaplains and catechists and will be open to members of the public. All branches are expected to reopen from 10am after the memorial prayers.

Still on Sunday, the firm will also disrupt its normal operations at 12noon to observe a minute of silence in memory of the departed souls and victims of the terror attack. The observance of the branch wide minute of silence in Kenya will be followed by the recital of the National Anthem which is also a powerful prayer to God.

“The events on that fateful Saturday midmorning are still very painful and the entire Nakumatt fraternity shall be taking time off on Sunday to say our memorial prayers to seek God’s comfort, global peace, love and harmony,” Shah explained.

In Nairobi, Shah, will also lead Nakumatt staffers to light a memorial candle outside the Westgate Shopping mall at 12noon on Sunday.

One year ago, Nakumatt Holdings suffered the loss of three of its dedicated staff members the late Veronicah Wairimu, Kennedy Mogaka and John Musango Mutinda who were fatally shot at the mall. The retailer, also lost its flagship Nakumatt Westgate branch to a mysterious fire just days after the terror attack.

Since then, Nakumatt which had a branch complement of 40 branches has managed to set off on a recovery path and recently opened its 50th branch in Arusha, Tanzania.