Uhuru, Raila appeal to Kenyans to stand together

Sunday, September 22, 2013 - BY LYDIA MATATA

President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Raila Odinga

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President Uhuru Kenyatta and Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and other national leaders have come together at a joint press conference to condemn the attack on Westgate shopping mall at Westlands area in Nairobi.

President Kenyatta called the perpetrators of the attack at the shopping centre a “cowardly bunch” and said the incident will not destroy the indomitable spirit of the Kenyan people.

While condoling with the loved ones of those who were injured or lost their lives in the attack, the President confirmed that his nephew and nephew’s fiance both died in the incident.

He said no one deserved to lose their lives senselessly, be injured or receive the news that their loved ones has  died because of a bunch of cowards.

The President asked Kenyans to be patient with the security operation to free hostages from the Westgate shopping mall that has now entered its second day, stating that security agents are trying to balance the pressure to contain the terrorists while keeping the hostages safe.

President Kenyatta added that though the country has received a large amount of offers of support from friendly countries, the security operation remains in the hands of Kenyan security agencies.

The President said that those spreading hate messages on social media will also face the full force of the law similar to the terrorists responsible for the attack.

He appealed to the international community not to issue travel advisories stating that this will only add to the success of those who want to harm Kenya.

Former Prime Minister and leader of the Cord opposition Raila Odinga said that Kenyans must come together, saying that this is the reason why the country’s leaders are standing together.

He said the Kenyan spirit is too powerful to be destroyed stating that this has been shown by the large number of Kenyans who have come out to donate blood to those injured in the attack.

He appealed to Kenyans to stop spreading hate messages through social media stating that “once the damage is done it cannot be repaired.”

Raila also called for the international community not to issue travel advisories stating that terrorist attacks are universal and have happened all over the world. He said issuing travel advisory bans will only hurt the Kenyan economy which is heavily dependent on tourism.

He further said that the attack was an attempt to divide Kenyans along religious lines. He said attempts to divide the country will fail as Kenyans from all religious backgrounds have resolved to stand together.

UDF Party leader Musalia Mudavadi condoled with the families of those who lost their lives and those still recuperating in hospital.

He further commended the security forces and volunteers who are helping the injured. Mudavadi said that this is not a time to play the blame game but rather a time to pull together.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and other national leaders have come together at a joint press conference to condemn the attack on Westgate shopping mall at Westlands area in Nairobi.

President Kenyatta called the perpetrators of the attack at the shopping centre a “cowardly bunch” and said the incident will not destroy the indomitable spirit of the Kenyan people.

While condoling with the loved ones of those who were injured or lost their lives in the attack, the President confirmed that his nephew and nephew’s fiance both died in the incident.

He said no one deserved to lose their lives senselessly, be injured or receive the news that their loved ones has  died because of a bunch of cowards.

The President asked Kenyans to be patient with the security operation to free hostages from the Westgate shopping mall that has now entered its second day, stating that security agents are trying to balance the pressure to contain the terrorists while keeping the hostages safe.

President Kenyatta added that though the country has received a large amount of offers of support from friendly countries, the security operation remains in the hands of Kenyan security agencies.

The President said that those spreading hate messages on social media will also face the full force of the law similar to the terrorists responsible for the attack.

He appealed to the international community not to issue travel advisories stating that this will only add to the success of those who want to harm Kenya.

Former Prime Minister and leader of the Cord opposition Raila Odinga said that Kenyans must come together, saying that this is the reason why the country’s leaders are standing together.

He said the Kenyan spirit is too powerful to be destroyed stating that this has been shown by the large number of Kenyans who have come out to donate blood to those injured in the attack.

He appealed to Kenyans to stop spreading hate messages through social media stating that “once the damage is done it cannot be repaired.”

Raila also called for the international community not to issue travel advisories stating that terrorist attacks are universal and have happened all over the world. He said issuing travel advisory bans will only hurt the Kenyan economy which is heavily dependent on tourism.

He further said that the attack was an attempt to divide Kenyans along religious lines. He said attempts to divide the country will fail as Kenyans from all religious backgrounds have resolved to stand together.

UDF Party leader Musalia Mudavadi condoled with the families of those who lost their lives and those still recuperating in hospital.

He further commended the security forces and volunteers who are helping the injured. Mudavadi said that this is not a time to play the blame game but rather a time to pull together.

The death toll from the siege at the Westgate mall by a group of about 10-15 gunmen has risen to 59 while the number of injured has risen to 175.

Security agents have however managed to rescue over 1000 hostages from the building while about 30 people still remain trapped inside.