Violent Attack at Kenyan Hotel Ends With 14 Dead
The remaining hostages were freed after a 17-hour standoff between militants and Kenyan security forces on Wednesday.
The final hostages in the violent terrorist attack which took place at the DusitD2 Hotel in Naoribi's affluent Westlands district yesterday have been freed after a 17 hour standoff between Kenyan security forces and Al Shabab militants.
In a speech this morning, Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta declared the rescue mission over, stating that there were 700 people rescued and a total of 14 casualties. He also stated that all of the attackers had been killed in the operation, according to Quartz Africa. "Every person that was involved in the funding, planning and execution of this heinous act will be relentlessly pursued," added Kenyatta.
"We will seek out every person that was involved in the funding, planning and execution of this heinous act." Keny… https://t.co/FjT2Iomn9O— BBC News Africa (@BBC News Africa)1547659320.0
Many recalled the events of the deadly 2013 Westgate Mall Siege in which 71 people were killed. The attack was also at the hands of Al Shabab.
Kenyans took to social media on Tuesday and Wednesday to rally, with several using social media to gain information on loved ones who were missing and share resources for those affected by the attack.
Please DM Patricia if you need contacts for a counsellor if you were in/near 14 Riverside/Dusit today, or if this b… https://t.co/0svaxMhEAf— Dr. Njoki Ngumi 🇰🇪 (@Dr. Njoki Ngumi 🇰🇪)1547577352.0
Many Kenyans are expressing sadness at the loss of well-known sports journalist and football fan Kenyan James Oduor, also known as Cobra who died inside the hotel on the eve of his birthday, notes The Daily Nation. He was tweeting during the attack, asking those on the outside for information on what was taking place at the hotel.
Sadly we lost James Odu Cobra in the #RiversideAttack. He was a lovely chap. Always happy &funny. I enjoyed playing… https://t.co/xNtIG6spoO— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H)1547635583.0
Fare thee well my friend. Your good spirit will live on in football. You did your part. We shall do ours and rememb… https://t.co/NZLKd3wEev— Nick Mwendwa (@Nick Mwendwa)1547617338.0
It is with a heavy heart that we must share the sad news of the passing of a great man James Oduor Cobra aka ODu..… https://t.co/mIVqC1Xz8g— SonySugarFC (@SonySugarFC)1547621033.0
Thousands of people online including celebrities and members of the international community are sharing messages in remembrance of the victims, using the hashtags #Pray4Kenya, #14Riverside and #riversideattack.
Prayers 🙏🏽 for the families of the victims in the #RiversideAttack in Nairobi.— Jidenna (@Jidenna)1547654748.0
Prayers up for Kenya 🙏🏿 I stayed in that same hotel last month and it was one of the most beautiful weeks I’ve ever… https://t.co/kkWWkAsLUA— Bas (@Bas)1547583434.0
My heart is with our brothers and sisters affected at the 14Riverside Drive in Kenya where there has been a terrori… https://t.co/c9T4Du5Qho— BOBI WINE (@BOBI WINE)1547562473.0
Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been affected by the terrible attack at #14riverside. https://t.co/70x0zIGTcg— Lighting Solutions (@Lighting Solutions)1547641534.0
May your loved ones come home today🙏🙏 #14Riverside— Mathogothanio (@Mathogothanio)1547559785.0
Together we stand #Pray4Kenya 🇰🇪— lavina Migoye (@lavina Migoye)1547624589.0
With the deepest sympathy, my heart goes out to every family in this time of sorrow who've lost their dear ones at… https://t.co/XPTgxdq8el— Benard Kioko (@Benard Kioko)1547642592.0