Only three soldiers stole from mall, Karangi
The military has dismissed three soldiers for allegedly stealing from the Westgate shopping Mall.
This was revealed on Tuesday by Kenya Defence Force head Gen Julius Karangi.
“The Internal Board of Inquiry found three officers with stolen property. They have been jailed and dismissed from system,” said military chief during a press briefing at the Department of Defence headquarters on Tuesday.
But even with the measures taken against the soldiers, Gen Karangi still denied accusations of looting directed at his men.
KDF spokesperson Col Cyrus Oguna maintained that the soldiers seen on CCTV cameras only took water.
Col Oguna added that soldiers helped repatriate Sh300 million from the banks.
Business owners
“KDF went to various business owners including banks on September 25 to guard their money and other valuables.
Allegations of looting are contrary to testimonies by bank owners. KDF repatriated Sh300 million from banks,” he said.
He played some video clips which he presented as evidence to absolve the soldiers of any wrong doing. He claimed the allegations were started in the social media and blogging sites on September 22.
Gen Karangi disputed reports that some of the terrorists escaped through a tunnel under the mall. He said the operation was multi-agency involving KDF, Police Service, National Intelligence Service and National Disaster Operations Centre.
In attendance was Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo and Cabinet Secretary for Defence Raychelle Omamo.