Revealed: How hero father died in Kenyan mall massacre after offering himself as a hostage to save lives of group of children

London-born Mitul Shah was killed in the Kenyan mall massacre

The 38-year-old died after he offered to become a hostage to save children

Tributes have poured in honouring 'a selfless man and a born leader'

Hero: Mitul Shah, 38, pictured with his daughter Sarai, aged two, was killed by terrorist at the Nairobi shopping mall

A British man who offered himself as a hostage to save the lives of a group of children was today described by colleagues as a 'born leader'.



Mitul Shah, 38, a sales executive from London attempted to strike a deal with the terrorists, replacing children with himself, a heroic act which gave several victims vital time to escape.

The selfless father did not get through to the gunmen and was shot alongside a number of children in the Kenyan tragedy, leaving behind his wife and two-year-old daughter.



Today his employers, the cooking oil company Bidco Oil, and his work colleagues spoke of their grief at his loss.

The firm said in a statement: ‘He was a born leader and an inspiring soul loved by one and all.’

Mr Shah, who was born in April 1975 in North London, held dual British and Kenyan citizenship.

After going to school in Kenya, he studied management science with computing at Kent University in Canterbury, Kent and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree.

He then joined Bidco Oil Refineries in Kenya as a management trainee and worked his way up to become a team leader in the marketing department.

Mr Shah, who leaves a widow, Rupal, and daughter Sarai, was killed moments after he was helping 33 children taking part in a TV cooking contest on the roof of the Westgate centre in Nairobi.



The event was being sponsored by his company.

One of the directors of Bidco, Dipak Shah, said today that his family and colleagues were all devastated.

He said: ‘He was trying to negotiate the freedom of the children in order for him to be taken as a hostage.

’Some had managed to save their lives, but unfortunately he, and others, did not.

’It was a heroic and brave act - a true reflection of his soul. He was a wonderful person who always went out of his way, beyond the call of duty, to help others.’



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Murdered: Mitul Shah, pictured with wife Rupal Shah and daughter Sarai, was unable to get through to the gunmen and was shot alongside several children in the Kenyan tragedy

Tribute: Mr Shah's employer and colleagues spoke of their grief at his loss, praising him as a 'born leader and an inspiring soul loved by one and all¿ The body of 38-year-old Mitul Shah lies in the main hall of the Oshwal Community Centre in Westlands nearby to the Westgate Shopping Centre where hundreds of mourners and well-wishers come to pay their last respects

He said that, like his family, everyone at the company was grieving his death.

He said: ‘We are anguished and shell-shocked at the turn of events. The tragic loss of our colleague and brother has created a vacuum in our heart as much as it has in our organisation.

‘All employees who have known him for long and short periods concur that he was an immensely effective leader, easy to get along with - on a personal level, very caring and concerned and on a professional level, highly dedicated and motivated.



’He was highly talented and has enriched the lives of everyone he has come across.

’It is a big, very big loss -not just for the family or for Bidco but for Kenya also as he loved this country with great passion and fervour.’

Men were said to have been castrated and had fingers removed with pliers before being blinded and hanged Their story: Portia Walton runs for the safety of Kenya mall hero Abdul Haji. The Waltons have now shared their harrowing tale, giving backstory to this now-iconic photo Terrifying: Katherine Walton, left, is an American living in Kenya who was at the Westgate mall last Saturday with her five kids when the siege occurred. They got out alive with the help of Haji

The company said in a statement: ‘Bidco is grieved to announce the sad and untimely demise of Mr Mitul Shah.



'He was among the first casualties of the Westgate Siege - losing his life in the first bout of attack, presumably killed while trying to protect some children who were assembled to participate or witness a cooking challenge.’

He had helped the firm win a number of industry awards and was also an accomplished sportsman, the company said.

He had taken part in endurance races, swimathons and had climbed both Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya.

‘He was young, dynamic, enterprising, hardworking & well focused person as well as the youngest team leader in Bidco, ‘the statement added.

The avid Manchester United fan was also president of the company's football team.

Yesterday, soldiers and doctors who were among the first people into the mall after it was reclaimed on Tuesday, spoke of the horrifying scenes inside

Bomb disposal experts with sniffer dogs were yesterday painstakingly combing the part of the building still standing for explosives before clearing forensic officers, police and troops to search for bodies

The collapse happened on Monday when government troops launched a massive assault on the mall where up to 150 people are thought to have been killed

Work colleagues paid tribute to Mr Shah on the internet.

One, named Alkane, wrote: ‘He is a real hero and had an option to run away but he opted to become a saviour of kids without wasting a second.

‘This says it all about Mitul. I salute him for his decision. I am very much thankful to God that I had an opportunity to spend time with such great soul.’

Mr Shah's workmate Roberts Libosso said: ‘He touched every one of us through his warm affection and sensitivity coupled with brilliant leadership skills.

’Mr Shah was a born leader - the circumstances surrounding his death fit the above qualities because he was concerned about the lives of the children whom he could not leave behind.’

A third friend, Sarah Njeru, said: ‘I cannot even begin to describe the loss, the sadness, the love, the hole in our heart.