Riverside Attack terrorists eliminated, Uhuru says plotters to be hunted

All the attackers involved in the Riverside Attack at the Dusit Hotel Complex on January 15 were eliminated in a security operation that lasted almost 18 hours.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, in an address to the nation, also confirmed that the State has confirmed 14 lives have been taken.

The President said Kenya will relentlessly pursue those involved in the planning of the attack.

“We will seek out every person involved in the funding, planning and execution of this heinous act,” he said.

In a stern warning to terror groups, Uhuru stated that Kenya is a nation that never regrets those who hurt its children.

The President added that the State would “continue every step to make our nation inhospitable to terrorist groups and their networks.”

In his statement, President Kenyatta hailed the various elements of the country’s citizens as well as agencies and organisations that reacted with haste in the midst of the Riverside Attack.

President Kenyatta said the country had on January 15 been “struck by a gang of criminals who hoped to terrorise by committing acts of murder and mayhem.”

The President confirmed that the security operation at the Dusit Complex was over with all the terrorists eliminated.

At the time of the address, which was minutes to 11am on Wednesday morning, Uhuru confirmed that the “murderous terrorists” claimed the lives of “14 innocent lives”. An unspecified number of people were injured.

“We are grieveing as a country this morning and my heart as well as that of every Kenyan goes to the innocent men and women violated by senseless violence,” he said.

The President wished the injured quick recovery and called on the nation to continue praying.

Uhuru hailed the security forces, who neutralised the assailants and evacuated over 700 civilians to safety, for dealing with the threat decisively and showing that the nation is ready to deal with any threat within its borders.

“As Commander-In-Chief, I want to commend the quick and effective response by all our fighting teams for neutralising all the terrorists involved in the attacks.”

Uhuru’s address also lauded the “dozens of acts of compassion” from civilians that fought against the acts of evil by the terrorists. The President termed these acts as “overflowing patriotism and individual courage.”