The United States government on Wednesday pledged to continue Kenya fighting terrorism as the country marks the first commemoration of the 2019 attack at Dusitd2, in upmarket Nairobi where 21 people were killed by al-Shabaab militants.
On 15 January 2019, the militants forced their way into the 14 Riverside Drive by forcing security guards at the gate to open the gate by shooting at them and immediately a suicide bomber blew himself up, before four other attackers proceeded to shoot innocent victims.
They were all neutralized by Kenyan security agencies after a 20 hour siege at the complex, which houses an upscale hotel, and is home to several local companies and international organizations. Over 700 Kenyans were safely rescued.
In a statement, the US embassy in Nairobi commended the speed and courage of the response by the Kenyan security services who rescued hundreds of innocent civilians and ended the assault.
“The United States and Kenya are training, sharing information, and fighting side by side to defeat this terrorist organization. We remain fully committed to the fight against terrorism and are proud to partner with Kenya to defeat al-Shabaab,” said the statement.
The US pointed out that al-Shabaab’s ongoing efforts to destabilize democratic, open societies represents a destructive threat in Kenya and East Africa.
The attack comes as the country marks the fourth anniversary of the El Adde terrorist attack that targeted Kenyan soldiers in Somalia.
The attack occurred on January 15, 2016 after Al Shabaab militants overrun a military base in the town of El Adde. The attack is the worst military defeat in Kenya’s history with close to 200 Kenya Defense Forces(KDF) soldiers reportedly killed.
Two days ago, suspected al-Shabaab killed three teachers in a daring dawn attack in Garissa, northern Kenya.
On 7 January, al-shabaab militants accessed the Manda Airstrip in Lamu and launched an attack that saw three Americas killed and some equipment including aircrafts at the facility destroyed.
Kenya has experienced numerous terror attacks since the country sent its troops in Somalia in 2011 to rout out the militants.
JK/abj/APA