Unsung Hero: Kenyan Combative Instructor Who Saved Lives at DusitD2, Westgate Terror Attacks Earn Praise from Kenyans
A Kenyan combative instructor has earned praise from Kenyans after turning up to save lives during Tuesday afternoon terror attack at the dusitD2 Complex along 14 Riverside Drive in Nairobi's Westlands area.
Inayat Kassam was among the first people who responded to distress calls to rescue people who were trapped inside the dusitD2 complex.
Kassam was on several occasions captured escorting people he had rescued from the building taken over by heavily armed gunmen.
Interestingly, the licensed gun holder was also at the center of rescue mission during a similar attack at Westgate shopping center in 2013, where 67 people were killed.
Kenyans have taken to social media to praise the man they now describe as a hero and a patriot.
@LabanCliff tweets:" A definition of a true Neighbor. He saved lives during the Westgate attack & today he risked his life for others. May the selfless act of Kenyans like Inayat Kassam, inspire us all to go beyond our call of duty to serve God and country."
@Ms_mabila says:" Seeing his picture at different attacks saving lives shows Mr. Inayat Kassam devotion to protecting and love for the fellow human. He is such a selfless citizen. He deserves a HSC! #RiversideAttack."
"Kenya Civilian Firearm owners association Mr. Innayat Kassam, a licensed gun trainer in Africa is one of the people who were first at the #RiversideAttack Scene to rescue lives.
In 2013, he played a similar role during the Westgate Siege.
Jeff Koinange had interviewed him sometimes recently during the 5 anniversary of Westgate attacks. And true to his words in the interview, he is always prepared to help where he can because he is a human being and a Kenyan. And lives matter. The Real hero," Arap Doyo notes.
"Hero of the day.
He was at Westgate and today at Riverside saving lives.
He is a licensed gun holder.
He is an expert in weaponry and self-defense.
Inayat Kassam is an experienced combative and shooting instructor, in addition to being an EDA Krav Maga Instructor," Tanga Tanga says.
Kassam has been practicing community policing for more than two decades and is the Chief Executive officer of the Scorpio Group Limited.
Comments
Is it a coincidence that he…
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Is it a coincidence that he is present during both terror attacks?? Just asking.
Sincerely, i hope this is a…
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In reply to Is it a coincidence that he… by Mucang’ang’a (not verified)
Sincerely, i hope this is a bizarre rhetorical question that we don't have to answer! If the guy has voluntary risk his life to save victims over and over again, what do you think his his intent? you need some soul searching and i leave it at that.
You are crazy man, the guy…
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In reply to Is it a coincidence that he… by Mucang’ang’a (not verified)
You are crazy man, the guy is Africa's combat instructor, you wonna tell me he didn't pass his background check! The guy has helped our people, what have you done lately to help strangers in need! Kimia kabisa or apologize. He is our hero, period.
A very Good question; and I…
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In reply to Is it a coincidence that he… by Mucang’ang’a (not verified)
A very Good question; and I am Glad you asked. Britain has Not long ago warned Kenya of Biochemical terror; and I think the terrorists cane to know about it and Stuck to their Usual tactics.
Also:
It's now OBVIOUS that this GUY (the Unsung hero) did about 90% of the Job; Not the Guys in Casual or FADING Blue or Jungle uniforms. KUDOS to the Unsung hero; and ZEROS to the Sung "heroess".
Fair question. I was…
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In reply to Is it a coincidence that he… by Mucang’ang’a (not verified)
Fair question. I was wondering the same.
Read the 2nd paragraph.
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In reply to Is it a coincidence that he… by Mucang’ang’a (not verified)
Read the 2nd paragraph.
its strange suddenly he is…
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In reply to Is it a coincidence that he… by Mucang’ang’a (not verified)
its strange suddenly he is there when a tragedy happens . How does he get there so suddenly ????
@Mucanganga... was wondering…
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@Mucanganga... was wondering the same. Also recently on Koinange….mhhh..maybe we are being too cynical. Reminds me of that guy who was always there when a high profile guy had an accident...can't remember his name.
Muigai?
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In reply to @Mucanganga... was wondering… by Sukari (not verified)
Muigai?
These actions should not be…
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These actions should not be encouraged. He could easily have been interfering with rescue efforts by professionals.
He may mean well but I doubt the recce people would encourage armed civilians to start showing up at all terrorist attacks.
Also, he is not a COMBATIVE anything. Check your definition and word usage.
Thanks Kassam, heroes come…
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Thanks Kassam, heroes come in all shapes and sizes even when people doubt your good deeds,if your name was not Kassim would we second guess you?
Kwa nini huyu ndugu yetu…
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Kwa nini huyu ndugu yetu amevaa miwani myeusi (why is our brother wearing dark glasses)?
To disguise himself; like…
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In reply to Kwa nini huyu ndugu yetu… by Imara Daima (not verified)
To disguise himself; like the Secret service does.
@mucanganga it doesn't…
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@mucanganga it doesn't matter whether it's a coincidence or not. What matters is that he saved lives while others ran for their lives. Kassam also lives in Westlands where the two attacks happened. What's your point?
What is all this about…
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What is all this about having volunteers in such a case? Don't we have trained men and women and first aid workers to do the job? Volunteers should be helping out in hospitals not in combative zone that way they are held to protocol. There was this politician Steve Mbogo who was taking selfies and pictures at the scene with a gun across his chest. Too many idlers at the scene.
I do not see any issue here,…
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In reply to What is all this about… by Mugikuyu (not verified)
I do not see any issue here, he is trained to handle a gun and so that is his forte and what he trains others with licensed weapons to do in moments of crisis.
@formerly can you imagine if…
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In reply to I do not see any issue here,… by formerlyguest2 (not verified)
@formerly can you imagine if everyone trained to hold a gun showed up? That would amount to total chaos with lots of friendly fires.
We have also heard situations where the heros were the culprits and obviously I am not talking about this particular situation but we need order as to what the public can and can not engage in. Again I am not in anyway suspicious of the guy's intentions but the situation calls for more order. And yes Kenyans did help other Kenyans so I'm not sure why his actions are being praised over others.
Of course there were many…
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In reply to @formerly can you imagine if… by Mugikuyu (not verified)
Of course there were many sheroes and heros I spent a good amount of time watching YouTube clips of ordinary Kenyans doing the same albeit with no weapons. Now the beef should be with our Kenyan journalists who put him front and center in their articles and KOT or better yet his friend - Jeff Koinange.
I'm not sure there is a time of order when such thing strikes....
Suddenly there are all these…
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Suddenly there are all these armed private people heavily armed . They arrive before the police
Wealthy people, CEO of multi…
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In reply to Suddenly there are all these… by James (not verified)
Wealthy people, CEO of multi national companies have private security, it's not a phenomenon. Kenyans are masters of conspiracy theories!
I agree.
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In reply to Wealthy people, CEO of multi… by formerlyguest2 (not verified)
I agree.
What is the justification…
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In reply to Suddenly there are all these… by James (not verified)
What is the justification for all these foreign civilians to have guns? Corruption at work again in kenya.
Stupid headed! Why don't…
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Stupid headed! Why don't they go after Trump in US instead of Killing innocent people. Leave along Trump! We all stand with the people of Israel and other countries cannot pay the price of what they don't know or believe. You are cawards stupid terrorist and bucks like a scared dog running away without knowing wherever it is heading. Face Trump physicalLy and KDF. You don't have to come all the way from Somalia, face them there! Why kill innocent people who even don't know if Trump declared Jerusalem as the capital city of Isreal.
Stupid headed! Why don't…
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Stupid headed! Why don't they go after Trump in US instead of Killing innocent people. Leave along Trump! We all stand with the people of Israel and other countries cannot pay the price of what they don't know or believe. You are cawards stupid terrorist and bucks like a scared dog running away without knowing wherever it is heading. Face Trump physicalLy and KDF. You don't have to come all the way from Somalia, face them there! Why kill innocent people who even don't know if Trump declared Jerusalem as the capital city of Isreal.
Their is no question the man…
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Their is no question the man did a good job, of course! It's equally healthy to question what appears to be at odds with the obvious. From what I could read elsewhere, the real bravado act was shown by a British army man who was out shopping. I am not biased, but I know the Brits don't play when it comes to training their military! The other thing is, did not stand the risk of being shot at by the real Police holding a gun out like that? At a glance once could easily mistake him for hood! Just saying.
Who is a terrorist ?? The…
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Who is a terrorist ?? The mau mau were also termed as terrorists by the british as they fought for kenya's freedom
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