Following yesterday’s attack by Islamic group members, Al Shabaab, at the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, the Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has assured that those behind these attacks which has claimed about 59 lives and so far injured about 209 as the time of this report, will be dealt with, as investigation to fish their identities have begun without delay.
In a live press conference which was held at the Government House, where bi-partisan politics and differences were put aside to form a front against terrorism, Kenyan leaders gathered to pledge their support to government in the fight against terror.
Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga reminded Kenyans about the terrorist attack by al Qaeda’s East Africa cell which bombed the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi in 1998, killing more than 200 people, as he urged Kenyans to come together during this trying time, as the incident perpetrated by the Islamist group which has vowed to promote religious crisis in the country, must be fought to the end, and that can only be achieved if Kenyans stick together with the government.
Odinga further condemned the issuance of travel advisories by foerign countries saying it is ill-timed. He said they should channel more energy into supporting Kenya in the fight against terror, so that Kenyans can continue with their lives.
President Uhuru Kenyatta took the podium after Odinga and thanked all the national leaders of Kenya for coming together with his government as a united nation in the fight against terror.
He also thanked other African nations who have extended the brotherly love over the crisis.
President Kenyatt, who confirmed the number of attackers to be between 10 to 15 with several people still held hostage in the mall, said he hoped, just like every other Kenyan that the siege ends in a short while.
He however asked Kenyans to pray for the Kenyan forces who have put their lives on the line to see to the safety of the hostages taken by the group.
According to the BBC, Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the only reason given for the attack was because Kenya sent its troops to aid peacekeeping in Somalia.
The terror group on its twitter account insists that there will be no negotiations with Kenyan officials over the standoff.
He promised that those who are behind the dastardly act will definitely be punished, as the government has started investigation, to ascertain those behind the act while he urged Kenyans to please stand by the government as a way to unite against terrorism in Kenya.
The attack began at about 12:00 local time yesterday when the attackers entered the Westgate Centre throwing grenades and firing automatic weapons.
Saturday’s attack is the deadliest terror attack in the nation since al Qaeda blew up the US embassy in 1998, killing more than 200 people.
Kenyans have been trooping to the Westgate area to give their support in every way they can, with food supplies to journalists and Kenyan forces, while others have been going to designated centres to donate blood to the injured, even though warnings have been issued that people should stay clear of the area.
He praised the indomitable spirit of Kenyans as everyone has becomes volunteers to save lives, as he sympathised with those that have lost loved ones in the attack, reiterating his promise to bring to book the masterminds of the dastard act.
According to reports, President Uhuru Kenyatta also lost his nephew and his fiancée in the attack that claimed 59 lives.