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| Africa Horn |
| Westgate: Our gallant troops must soldier on |
| 2013-09-24 |
| [Daily Nation (Kenya)] For the third day running, Kenya's security agencies acting in concert with friendly forces, continued with an assault on the terrorists who still held many civilians hostage at the Westgate Mall. At one point at mid-day, there was a scare when fire erupted at the mall with some reports suggesting fresh terror attacks. Others indicated it was a manoeuvre by the terrorists to confuse the Kenyan soldiers and possibly find a way to exit. Whatever the case, our troops soldiered on and continued with their mission to contain and subdue the attackers and rescue those still held captive. All round, there is a sense of gloom and doom. Tension is palpable and the citizens are worried about the grotesque drama. This is the reason why the government must continue with constant public communication to update the people on the goings-on to calm nerves. Worrying too is the fact that the stand-off and uncertainty are taking a huge toll on the economy as businesses remain closed and many people kept away from work. Worse, the tragedy has sent the wrong message that Kenya is an unsafe destination even when it is clear that terrorism knows no borders and that the reasons for the attacks is to avenge for actions of other countries the attackers perceive to have offended elsewhere. Kenya, therefore, finds itself in an awkward situation of paying penance for all the wrong reasons. But as stated by President Kenyatta, the country's security forces must cut through the designs of the attackers and deal with them decisively. Critically important is to review our security systems to seal loopholes that allow criminals to enter into our land and visit such mayhem that claims the lives of tens of innocent people. |
| Posted by:Fred |