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HII NDIO SPEECH YA RAISI WA KENYA(UHURU KENYATTA)KUHUSIANA NA TUKIO LA UGAIDI,ISOME HAPA
I thank all of you for staying strong and for being there for each
other's sake as the tragic ordeal at the Westgate Mall enters its second
day. You continue to be heroic in many amazing and heartening ways. As a
nation, we speak as one on this. You can see here former Prime Minister
Raila Odinga and other national leaders ... in and outside Government.
We are a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society. Our diversity is also our strength.
Sadly, the evil and cowardly act of terrorism has claimed 59 lives and
injured more than 175 people. Let us all continue to keep all the
affected people in our thoughts and prayers, even as we reach out with a
helping hand. I want every bereaved family to know that I mourn very
deeply with them. No one should lose their life so needlessly, so
senselessly, and no family should have to receive news that their loved
one has been killed by a criminal bunch of cowards.
As your
president, as a leader and as a Kenyan, I feel the pain of every life we
have lost, and share your grief at our nation's loss. My nephew and his
fiancee are among those who died in this attack. These are young,
lovely people I personally knew and loved. Many of us have lost loved
ones. Let us mourn them all as one nation, and keep them always in
remembrance and prayer.
To those who have suffered physical and
psychological wounds I offer words of comfort and encouragement. Please
know that my Government and multitudes of well-wishers are united in
one resolve: to see you through this painful and confusing moment. Take
heart that you are not alone as you bear your hurt; we are praying for
your quick recovery.
Owing to the professional response of the
various security agencies at the scene and the selflessness of countless
Kenyans, more than 1,000 people were rescued from the Mall and attended
to. We continue to rescue more. This is remarkable and encouraging. I
am aware that many have expressed impatience over the pace at which the
situation is unfolding. Whilst I empathise with your anxiety at seeing
the matter concluded as quickly as possible, I ask for your
understanding as well.
There are 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.
Obviously, the outcome has not been ideal,
but I am satisfied that our disciplined forces have responded in as
professional and effective manner as the circumstances have allowed. I
also ask Kenyans to remember that these officers are putting their lives
on the line for the greater good. Therefore, give them due
consideration and prayer. The Inspector-General of the Police Service,
David Kimaiyo, remains in charge of the situation. Teams from the Kenya
Defence Forces have supplemented the intervention. The criminals are now
all located in one place within the building. With the professionals on
site, I assure Kenyans that we have as good a chance to successfully
neutralise the terrorists as we can hope for. Let us allow them space
and time to do their best.
I have received calls from world
leaders offering their words of comfort and solidarity. I have also
received numerous offers of assistance from friendly countries, which
are under evaluation. For the time being, however, this remains an
operation of the Kenya security agencies. I thank all our international
friends who have reached out to us and stood with
us.
The
Al-Shabaab terror group have claimed responsibility for this cowardly
act of terror on social media. However, investigations are underway to
conclusively establish those responsible for this mayhem, so that we can
have full accountability. They shall not get away with their
despicable, beastly acts. Like the cowardly perpetrators now cornered in
the building, we will punish the masterminds swiftly and painfully.
I call on Kenyans to stand courageous and united. Let us not sacrifice
our values and dignity to appease cowards. Our victory must be
conclusive. Let us defeat them with our unity. By responding quickly and
generously to distress calls, we have triumphed. By standing in long
lines all over the city to give blood, donating money through our mobile
devices, buying and distributing food, blankets and beverages to the
affected, we have ashamed and defeated our attackers. Let us continue to
wage a relentless moral war as our forces conduct the physical battle.
We shall triumph. As I asked you yesterday, please continue helping, and
continue praying.
Thank you. God Bless our Beloved country.
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