Procession of funerals begin as Kenya starts to grieve

The first of what many will be many funerals took place in Nairobi today.

16-year-old Neha Mashru was killed as she attended a cooking class inside the Westgate Mall on Saturday when the ambush took place. Her mother tried to call for help as the shooting began.

The attack claimed the lives of 61 civilians, whilst six members of the security forces and five terrorists died in the ensuing assault aimed at ending the siege.

Africa Correspondent Rohit Kachroo reports.

Community leaders within the Hindu centre where the funeral took place said the parents are inconsolable with grief.

Mehul Savani, who supported Neha's father through the untimely ceremony, said there were no words to describe the devastation the whole community were feeling.

As the names of victims are being slowly released, the Kenyan authorities are warning that the death toll may rise, once the building is secured and searched.

President Uhuru Kenyatta said the attack caused three floors of the building to collapse, and that they expect to find more bodies of civilians and attackers under the rubble.

Read: Mall floor collapsed before terrorists 'defeated'

The Kenyan president has declared three days of mourning to pay tribute to the victims of the attack. The national period of mourning will begin tomorrow.