When terrorists struck at Dusit D2 Hotel on Tuesday, January 15, Kenyans from all walks of life united to defeat the attackers and the fear that they tried to unleash.
True to the trending tag #WeShallOverCome, many people and entities stood out as an embodiment of the true Kenyan spirit of love, courage and resilience.
Even though this list is not comprehensive, these are some of 10 individuals and entities that exhibited heroism during the operation.
1. The Recce Squad
The squad is a special force unit of the GSU. The elite unit was responsible for leading the attack against the terrorists and eliminating them.
The elite force made use of technological tools including remote-controlled robots for surveillance of areas of the top floors of the hotel and locating the terrorists.
The unit deployed at 14 riverside was composed of two commando units made of seven officers each. They locked the exits and switched off the power supply to the building before eliminating the terrorists.
There were also two Specialized Combat Units from KDF who worked with the Recce Squad in bringing down the assailants.
2. Douglas Kirocho Kanja, GSU commandant
Kanja the commandant of the paramilitary unit was heading the operation to neutralize the terrorists at the hotel complex.
As the commanding officer, he was fully in charge of the operation that began at 3:00 pm and lasted for about 21 hours.
Kanja was the one who called an end to the operation on Wednesday after all the five terrorists had been neutralized. More than 700 people were saved by the operation of the security forces under his command.
During the operation, however, one officer by the name Japheth Ndunguja succumbed to fatal injuries he sustained after being shot by the terrorists.
3. Bernard Nteresho, 14 Riverside security manager
As the security manager, Nteresho had just finished supervising the repair of the security exit gate when the first explosion of the attack hit the complex. Gunshots soon followed.
Narrating the ordeal, Nteresho indicated, "I knew we were in danger, and people had to be saved".
With an outstanding experience of serving as a Recce Squad officer for around two decades and the head of security at the complex for six years, Nteresho swiftly moved into action with the understanding that the task ahead was a weighty one. He managed to evacuate many people before the police took over.
Among his first actions was to ensure that all the exit gates were open to allow people to move to safety. He indicated, "I rushed to the guards at the gates and ordered them to open them wide. I went back and started shouting for the people to run for their lives".
He also stated, "When I got home, my whole body was aching. I look back at the entire incident and thank God that many lives were saved". He also collaborated with the police during their operation, giving them details of the master plan of the complex.
4. IT officers at Dusit D2
The officers formed a team that was invaluably helpful to the police officers and their operation. They employed their expertise to ensure the officers gained visibility of every floor of the building through the CCTV cameras system.
The team worked for an extended time; many hours into the night to ensure the officers got any needed assistance via the IT platform.
5. Ali Kombo, GSU officer
Mr Kombo was among the GSU officers deployed at 14 Riverside and he was widely captured on photos protecting and evacuating many civilians from the building. In several photos, he was seen tightly holding his gun as a group of people clutched on him.
Those evacuated recounted how he kept assuring them that things will be alright and kept telling them,"Just keep calm. Follow me, but do not stand. Do not come in front of me".
Tarus Aoko, who was one of the people saved by Kombo indicated that he remained calm and composed all through the ordeal, that he would continually look back to ensure everyone was okay.
6. Bernadette Konjalo, Dusit D2 Revenue director
Bernadette did a lot to guide the guests at the hotel to the exit points after the first shots were fired.
She also gave clear and meaningful directions to the members of staff about what they should do as soon as it was clear the hotel was under attack.
Unfortunately, Bernadette was killed when a bullet by one of the terrorists hit her on her back. A family member informed that "she was a lovely and gentle person who was full of compassion for others".
7. Kenya Red Cross
The Kenya Red Cross team were among the first responders to the terror attack at the hotel and they stayed at the scene until the siege was over.
Under the leadership of Abbas Gullet, the team helped to move survivors into waiting ambulances and rushed them to the hospitals.
Red Cross also provided water and other humanitarian support to the officers involved in the operation.
They also established a base at the Chiromo Mortuary for counselling the survivors and those who lost their loved ones in the attack.
8. George Kinoti, Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI)
DCI boss Kinoti arrived at the hotel complex minutes after the attack began and stayed at the scene for about 18 hours with no sleep or food.
Having been among the earliest responders at the scene, Kinoti is said to have coordinated the first police units to arrive at the scene before the elite Recce Squad officers came in.
Under his leadership, the first response teams managed to destabilize the attackers consequently reducing the number of casualties.
Kinoti also led a specialized team of the Anti-bomb Squad in combing the site of the complex and defusing some explosives that were brought to the scene by the terrorists.
9. Inayat Kassam, Licensed gun holder
Kassam had the experience of dealing with a situation of terror attack during the 2013 Westgate attack.
He fought the terrorists at the mall attack and his actions saved the lives of many people. During the Dusit attack, Kassam equally evacuated many people to safety .
Kassam is a shooting instructor and also goes by the nickname “Superman” because of his speed and efficiency of using a firearm.
10. Omari Mushiri, Licensed gun holder
Mushiri is a former Kamukunji parliamentary aspirant. He went to Dusit after he got information that the hotel was under attack.
He played the important role of rescuing survivors inflicted with bullet wounds and trapped inside the hotel.
A photo of him carrying a woman into an ambulance with his clothes smeared with lots of blood made rounds on social media.
11. Many other gallant patriots
Others who are regarded as heroes included the members of the press, flying squad, Australian embassy security and emergency service providers (fire brigade and ambulances).
One woman was particularly noted for coming out and offering food and water to the responders at the scene. Many other people were instrumental in helping to deal with the attack but have not been mentioned in this article.
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