News

Obama condemns Garissa attacks

  Share Bookmark Print Rating
Photo/FILE  US President Barack Obama.

Photo/FILE US President Barack Obama.  

By Nation Reporters
Posted  Monday, July 2   2012 at  09:18
SHARE THIS STORY

Image Gallery

United States President Barack Obama has condemned Sunday's terror attacks in Kenya that killed at least 14 and left 66 others seriously injured.

In a statement released Monday by the White House press secretary, the US called for speedy justice on the perpetrators of the recent spate of terror attacks along Kenya's coastal and the North East regions.

"The attacks on two churches in Garissa follow shortly after the killing of one aid worker and the kidnapping of four others in Dadaab refugee camp this week, as well as an attack on a nightclub in Mombasa last weekend.

"The perpetrators of these attacks have shown no respect for human life and dignity, and must be brought to justice for these heinous acts," teh statement from White House said.

The statement came moments after a section of Muslims youths in Nairobi reacted angrily to the blasts in Garissa and said the incident was a blot in their image.

Those interviewed by Nation said they are slowly being treated with disdain by fellow Kenyans.

“Wherever you go, people look at you suspiciously. The perception that muslim youths are al shabaab is a bad tag and it threatens our search for livelihood,” said Jamal Mohamed, 23.

Mohamed Osman, an IT student in Nairobi, said the fact that the attacks target innocent people is bad enough.

“Why kill innocent people. People who are worshipping? I do not know what one would ever gain from that, both on earth and in heaven,” said Osman,26.

Other youths lamented that by taking the religious angle, the attacks were likely to cause tension between Muslims and Christians.

“We assure Christians that we should not be divided on religious lines. Someone is out to create a big wedge between us with a very ill motive,” said Yusuf Mohamed, 22.

Yusuf casted aspersion at the coordinated manner in which the attacks seemed to have occurred.

“The other day, someone said there will be an attack in Mombasa. It happened. It means some people are aware of these attacks in advance,” he said.

Although Saadaq Farah, 25, feels safe in Nairobi, he was worried someone was keen to set fellow Kenyans against each other.

"Every time a blast occurs, we (Muslim youths) experience a problem interacting with other Kenyans. We know nothing about these criminals,” he said.


                   
 

IN PICTURES: Police thwart mechanics riot

The signatures of British Prime Minister David Cameron (L) and US President Barack Obama are pictured on a patchwork quilt made by students working on a school project about the G8 Summit during a visit by British Prime Minister David Cameron and US President Barack Obama (not shown) at the Enniskillen Integrated Primary School in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, on June 17, 2013. PHOTO | MATT DUNHAM | AFP

IN PICTURES: The G8 Summit

IN PICTURES: Firearms recovered in terror suspect residence

President Uhuru Kenyatta having some fun with the rugby players after he handed them the national flag at State House, Nairobi on June 14, 2013. Photo/CHRIS OMOLLO

IN PICTURES: Uhuru roots for rugby