Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has said that a siege by suspected militants in Nairobi is over and all the attackers have been “eliminated”. Kenyatta was addressing the nation from State House Nairobi on Wednesday, shortly after the security operation at the hotel came to a close. “Kenya was yesterday attacked by gang of criminals hoping […]
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has said that a siege by suspected militants in Nairobi is over and all the attackers have been “eliminated”.
Kenyatta was addressing the nation from State House Nairobi on Wednesday, shortly after the security operation at the hotel came to a close.
“Kenya was yesterday attacked by gang of criminals hoping to terrorise our people by committing acts of murder. I can confirm that about 1 hour ago the security operation was completed and all terrorists eliminated,” Uhuru said.
“We have confirmation that 14 innocent lives were lost in the hands of these terrorists and others injured. We are grieving as a country, my heart goes out to innocent men and women violated by these senseless terrorists,” he added.
Uhuru assured the nation and the rest of the world that Kenya is secure for their stay and visit respectively, adding that the nation will go ahead to strengthen security systems starting today.
“I assure fellow Kenyans and our visitors that u are safe in Kenya. Inform the police and any authority of any suspicious individuals. We can never take anything for granted, we shall continue the never ending work of strengthening our systems. We shall continue making our nation inhospitable to terrorists’ groups.”
“As CIC I want to commend a quick and effective security operation. We have show the enemies and the world that we as a country are ready to deal with any threats to our nation.”
Kenyatta however vowed that Kenya will seek justice against terrorism.
“We are a country governed by laws, rules and regulations, a country that embraces peaceful existence, we believe in these values even in the face of adversity. We are a nation that never forgets those who hurt our children.”
Americans and the British were among the dead when gunmen blasted their way into a hotel and office complex in the Kenyan capital on Tuesday, killing at least 15 people and others injured after an attack claimed by Somali Islamist group al Shabaab.
Officials originally announced the end of the siege hours after it began, but gunfire and explosions were heard again early on Wednesday.
The Somalia-based militant group al-Shabab said it was behind the attack. It is not clear how many attackers there were.
The five-star DusitD2 hotel has 101 rooms. It also has its own spa and several restaurants.
How did the attack unfold?
The attack began at about 15:00 local time (12:00 GMT) when four gunmen threw bombs at vehicles in the car park before entering the lobby, where one blew himself up, police say.
A woman working in a neighbouring building told Reuters news agency: “I just started hearing gunshots, and then started seeing people running away raising their hands up and some were entering the bank to hide for their lives.”
Security camera footage showed at least four heavily armed men walking in and opening fire. There are reports they had been seen visiting the compound in recent days.
At 23:00, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said all the buildings in the complex had been secured by security forces.
“The situation is under control and the country is safe,” he told reporters. “Terrorism will never defeat us.”
But just an hour later gunfire and sporadic explosions were reported in the area. There was more heavy gunfire at about 07:00.
Security forces combed their way through the building where frightened workers had barricaded themselves inside. hiding under tables and chairs and in bathrooms.
In the early hours of Wednesday, more than 100 people were rescued. About 30 people are being treated at Nairobi hospitals, media reports say.
The attackers were reported to have retreated to the seventh floor, where more civilians were also thought to be hiding.
The five-star DusitD2 hotel has 101 rooms. Located in the Westlands suburb, minutes from the capital’s business district, it has its own spa and several restaurants.
Kenya has seen a number of terror attacks in recent years – most notably in areas close to the Somali border and in the country’s capital.
Who are al-Shabab?
They are a militant Islamist group that opposes the Somali government but has also carried out attacks throughout East Africa
Kenya is part of a regional peacekeeping operation that supports the Somali government in its battle against al-Shabab.
In September 2013, al-Shabab gunmen entered the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi and targeted shoppers.
During an 80-hour siege at the upscale centre, 67 people were killed.
Two years later, the group carried out its deadliest ever assault in Kenya, shooting dead almost 150 people at Garissa University.
