Uhuru cancels Angola trip to deal with Mandera attack

President Uhuru Kenyatta after inspecting a guard of honour during this year's Mashujaa Day on October 20, 2016 in Machakos County. The President on October 25, 2016 cancelled his official trip to Angola following a terror attack in Mandera County. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • In a statement on Tuesday evening, Mr Esipisu said the President had called off his official visit to Angola in solidarity with the families who lost their loved ones and those injured.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has cancelled his official visit to Angola to deal with the terrorist attack in Mandera, State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu has said.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, Mr Esipisu said the President had called off the visit in solidarity with the families who lost their loved ones and those injured.

“The President condemns in the strongest terms this heinous attack by these depraved individuals. Our security agencies will do everything in their power to bring them to justice,” said the statement.

“Every Kenyan of goodwill, Christian and Muslim alike, knows that it is wrong to take innocent life. Kenyans will not allow themselves to be divided along religious lines, which is what the terrorists want,” said the President.

President Kenyatta said that to win this war, Kenyans must remain united and work closely with security agencies.

“President Kenyatta has asked the Deputy President William Ruto, to represent him at the meeting in Luanda,” said Mr Esipisu.

Twelve people were killed in the overnight attack at Bishaaro Hotel in Mandera Town.

Al-Shabaab gunmen as said to be behind the killings.

According to Mandera East police boss (OCPD) Ezekiel Singoe, the 12 included 10 who were visiting for set-book performances at schools in the county.