The International Reserve Group has about 25 specialist staff and will use about 55 guards from G4S.

A private Israeli company has been put in charge of running security at Nairobi’s Westgate mall, which re-opens on Saturday this week.

The International Reserve Group (IRG), which has been in Kenya for about five years, is a conglomerate that brings together consultants, investigators and trainers as well as Security Service and Special Forces officers.

They offer a wide range of security products and services and have a local client list that includes State House, the American, French and Israeli embassies, Village Market, Yaya, Tribe Hotel and others.

IRG has about 25 specialist staff and will use about 55 guards from security firm G4S, an employee of the Israeli firm told Reuters inside Westgate.

New security features at the mall will include explosive detectors, luggage X-rays, scanners to check underneath cars, bollards to prevent car bombs and bullet-proof guard towers.

“This will be the safest mall in the world,” said Cohen, an IRG employee who did not wish to give his full name.