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Kenya defeats terrorists after four-day siege

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Question over security

Following the attack, Kenya has beefed up security along borders between Kenya and Ethiopia and between Kenya and Somalia to prevent insurgents from neighboring countries from passing to launch incursion, according to Cabinet Secretary in charge of Internal Security Joseph Ole Lenku.

A armored vehicle drives into security area near the Westgate shopping center in Nairobi, Kenya, Sept. 24, 2013. Kenyan security forces continued its operation on Tuesday inside the mall where 62 people were killed by gunmen since Saturday. [Zhang Chen/Xinhua]

A armored vehicle drives into security area near the Westgate shopping center in Nairobi, Kenya, Sept. 24, 2013. [Zhang Chen/Xinhua]

He said the security apparatus in the regions has been ordered to scale up their security check and ensure that no one gets in or out of the country following the attack. All major hotels, restaurants, bars and public service vehicle (PSV) operators across the country have been directed to enhance their security by reviewing their security arrangements which include screening visitors.

Kenya has maintained its enviable reputation as an island of peace in a sea of turmoil since independence in 1963. However, the increased insurgency during recent years, particularly the Saturday attack on the mall with security guards at each entrance, pushes Kenya to review its counter-terrorism measures.

At a televised emergency session of the National Assembly on Tuesday to discuss the security situation of the weekend tragedy, lawmakers vented their outrage at the security lapse in the country and pushed for reforms in the security system.

Timothy Wanyonyi in whose constituency the terror attack happened lamented over huge intelligence gathering failure before the attack, according to local media Standard. Majority leader Adan Duale whose Garissa Township constituency has been engulfed in terror since Kenya sent troops into Somalia said the raid should be a wake-up call for the government to institute security reforms.

Werunga Simiyu, a regional security expert who spoke to Xinhua on Monday emphasized that the current counter-terrorism measures in Kenya have not adequately tackled this challenge.

As neighboring countries in the horn and central African region roiled in civil strife, Kenya remained peaceful and played host to millions of refugees fleeing bloodshed in Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda.

"Instability in the region has obviously bred terrorism that has crossed our borders. There is no denying militias and rebel groups found a safe haven in Kenya where they could plot and execute their destructive schemes," Simiyu said.

He regretted that Kenya's vulnerability to terrorist activities has been worsened by lax security measures at border points while limited technology and resources undermine detection and early warning to foil major attacks.

"Our vigilance has not been adequate and should be strengthened through adoption of cutting edge technologies and retraining of an inter-agency unit charged with combating terrorism. Every loophole that allows terrorists to enter the country and set up base undetected should be sealed," Simiyu stressed.

"It is appropriate at this juncture for Kenya to revamp her security architecture to combat terrorism effectively," he said.

Economic damage

The multi-storey Westgate mall, consisting of more than 80 shops as well as a Nakumatt supermarket, used be a place for wealthy Kenyans, foreigners and tourists to shop and relax. Now, it reminds people of not only the bloody tragedy but also risks they might face when shopping in big malls and supermarkets.

Kephas, from security guard company Securex who works at the construction site about 500 meters from the mall, was deeply saddened as his colleague who was on duty at the mall was killed by the gunmen. He said Kenyan citizens and tourists must be shocked by the attack with a carry-over of fear. "We are afraid to shop in big malls," he said, adding the attack would hurt the country's economy.

A man named Paul who works for a Chinese restaurant for six years said the attack brought a "huge problem." People will become suspicious and too scared to go to shopping malls and supermarkets. " Because you will never know whether there are terrorists around you," he said.

Kenya's leading supermarket Nakumatt was among the most affected by the attack with the Westgate and Ukay branches remaining shut down.

Kenya Private Sector Alliance chief executive officer Carole Kariuki told Daily Nation newspaper that the business community has suffered a huge blow in the attack.

"Whereas it is too early to quantify losses, a lot is going on in there. From what is being destroyed to the general closure of the mall and other shopping outlets and the many employees that have lost their lives, it's going to be a big loss to this nation, " Ms Kariuki said.

The attack would also deal a further blow to the east African nation where tourism is a pillar industry, which is already dented by increased insurgency after Kenya launched cross-border incursion into Somalia to pursue the militants.

Kenyatta has urged wealthy governments not to issue warnings to their citizens against visiting Kenya as it would damage the country's tourism and economy.

Cabinet Secretary of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Phyllis Jepkosgei Kandie assured Kenyans and foreigners that the government will continue to be on high alert to deal with and avert any security threats posed by terrorist elements in the country.

"We wish to assure tourists that Kenya is peaceful and our security agencies are doing everything possible to ensure that every one is safe," Kandie said, extending welcome to tourists to visit all tourist facilities across the country that are operating normally.

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