KENYA: President Uhuru Kenyatta says the country's security forces are involved in a 'delicate balance' in dealing with the Nairobi mall attackers while ensuring the safety of hostages inside

Record ID: 353958

  • Title: KENYA: President Uhuru Kenyatta says the country's security forces are involved in a 'delicate balance' in dealing with the Nairobi mall attackers while ensuring the safety of hostages inside
  • Date: 22nd September 2013
  • Summary: NAIROBI, KENYA (SEPTEMBER 22, 2013) (REUTERS) KENYAN PRESIDENT UHURU KENYATTA STANDING WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS OUTSIDE STATE HOUSE KENYA FLAG FLYING (SOUNDBITE) (English) KENYA PRESIDENT, UHURU KENYATTA, SAYING: "There are between 10 to 15 armed terrorists inside the building as well as many unarmed, badly shaken, innocent civilians. We have reports of women a
  • Embargoed: 7th October 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
  • Reuters ID: LVAFR5BAR5F553FDABV1S07RSHC
  • Story Text: Kenya's president said on Sunday (September 22) security forces confronting militants in a Nairobi shopping mall had as good a chance as can be hoped for of neutralising the attackers, and that Kenya wanted to confirm a claim of responsibility by Somali Islamists.
    Uhuru Kenyatta, who said a nephew and his nephew's fianc� were among the 59 confirmed killed, said the government had reports of both male and female attackers, consistent with accounts given by witnesses who said they saw women involved.

    "There are between 10 to 15 armed terrorists inside the building as well as many unarmed, badly shaken, innocent civilians. We have reports of women as well as male attackers. We cannot confirm details on this. Our security analysts are looking at that. Our multi-agency response unit has had to delicately balance the pressure to contain the criminals with the need to keep our people still held in the building safe," said Kenyatta.
    The Somali al Shabaab militant group had said it was behind the attack, which began on Saturday (September 21), but Kenyatta said investigations were under way to "conclusively establish" who was responsible.
    Al Shabaab had said it carried out the attack because of Kenya's intervention in Somalia, where it is now working alongside other African peacekeeping troops to push back Islamic militants.
    Asked if he would now consider pulling out troops, Kenyatta said: "We shall not relent on the war on terror, we will continue that fight and we urge all people of good will throughout the world to join us and to ensure that we uproot this evil, so if their thought is that this was to intimidate us, it has only increased our commitment to fight and win this war."
    After similar appeals from opposition and other senior politicians speaking at the presidential residence, Kenyatta also urged foreign nations not to issue travel warnings that would damage Kenya's vital tourism industry.

    "This is one attempt that has succeeded, there have been numerous threats that have been neutralised in the past. This goes to say that our intelligence service are doing the best that they can, but we all as Kenyans must also remember to play our part and be vigilant but more importantly let me state that at this particular point in time, my interests, the interests of every Kenyan wherever they are, is the safety of the people and to bring this crisis to an end," Kenyatta said.
    He did not respond when asked whether hostages still inside the mall had explosives strapped to them, saying he would not comment on operations.
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