How Westgate Attack Changed Kamene Goro’s Career Path

Kenyan media personality Kamene Goro has opened up about how the 2013 Westgate Mall terrorist attack forever changed the course of her career.

Speaking during an episode of the Mic Cheque podcast, Kamene revealed that she decided to leave law entirely after the death of her former boss, Peter Simani, who was among the victims of the deadly siege.

“That’s Where My Feelings With Law Changed”

Kamene began by recalling her early career in law, where she worked under the mentorship of the late Peter Simani, a respected lawyer known for his discipline and strong work ethic.

“I used to work for the late Peter Simani — amazing guy — passed away at Westgate, and I think that’s where my feelings for law changed,” she said.

She described her boss as a principled professional who demanded the best from his employees.

“I used to work from Monday to Friday, and this guy — don’t play with him. If you’re coming to work, report at 8 and clock out at 6. But it was an amazing learning experience,” Kamene recalled, adding that she would commute daily from Ngong Road to the firm.

The Day of the Tragedy

Kamene vividly recounted the day the attack occurred. It was a Saturday, and she had taken her mother shopping when news broke of what initially appeared to be a robbery.

“We finished shopping, I was listening to the radio, then they were talking about a bank robbery. Then they said it’s not a robbery, it’s just looking like a robbery. Then all of a sudden, there was no information,” she said.

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As confusion grew, she turned to Twitter and noticed Westgate trending, with everyone giving their own interpretations. “I had to turn on the news,” she said. The unfolding events would later become one of Kenya’s darkest moments.

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Kamene revealed that a day after the attack, she received a call requesting her to donate blood at a nearby hospital.

“I am O negative, and that means if there’s a tragedy, I’m in the list of blood donors. The hospital called and said I should go donate blood at Karen Hospital,” she said.

Shortly after, her family received confirmation that the body of her boss had been found.

“I told my dad I had gotten the strangest call. We waited for confirmation, and it came that the body was Simani’s,” she said.

Walking Away From Law

After attending Simani’s burial, Kamene tried to return to work but realized she could no longer continue in the same environment.

“After his burial, I went back to the office, and that was my last time in a law firm. I just went back to studying,” she said.

Kamene’s experience at the time reshaped her perspective on life and career. She later transitioned into media, where she built a successful career as a radio host and television personality.

The Westgate Mall Attack

The Westgate Mall attack took place on September 21, 2013, when four heavily armed militants linked to the Somali-based terrorist group Al-Shabaab stormed the upscale shopping complex in Nairobi’s Westlands area.

The attackers opened fire on shoppers and employees, killing 67 people and injuring more than 170 others over a four-day siege.

The attack began around midday on a busy Saturday when families, expatriates, and children were shopping or dining at the mall.

Security agencies battled to regain control as gunmen exchanged fire and took hostages. The siege was marked by moments of chaos, heroism, and grief, with rescue operations continuing until September 24, when Kenyan forces finally declared the building secure.

The tragedy deeply shocked Kenya and the world, sparking national mourning and prompting tighter counterterrorism measures.

Among those killed was Kamene’s employer, Peter Simani, who was in the mall at the time. His death left a lasting emotional impact on Kamene and marked a turning point in her career path.