US issues alert to its citizens following Westgate attack

By ALPHONCE SHIUNDU
@Shiundu

Nairobi; Kenya: The US Embassy in Nairobi has issued an alert to its citizens and embassy staff to stay indoors; avoid large gatherings in public places and keep off the precincts of the Westgate Mall in Nairobi.

“U.S. Mission personnel have also been advised to shelter in place during the day on Sunday, avoid the Westgate Mall area, and to avoid demonstrations or large gatherings should they come upon them,” read the emergency dispatch to all US citizens issued on Sunday noon.

The warning came on the day that the Kenyan authorities declared the area around the mall as a security zone, and urged the public to keep off. The mall has been under siege by terrorists since Saturday morning.

The embassy asked the its citizens to tune into the local TV, radio and other media to get up-to-date information on the bloody hostage crisis that has so far left 59 people dead and at least 175 injured.

The US government has also suspended the travel of all “temporary duty personnel” posted to Nairobi “until further notice”.

“Providing assistance to U.S. citizens is our top priority!” the dispatch read as it called on all americans in Kenya to register with the Embassy so as to be in the loop whenever there’s an emergency.

The Westgate mall is a favourite shopping, eating, and entertainment spot for the huge expatriate community in Nairobi.

According to the US Secretary of State John Kerry, a wife of an American working for the US Agency for International Development had been killed in the attack.

“Attacks like this can't change who we are, a people committed to peace and justice for all, but rather must reaffirm our determination to counter extremism and promote tolerance everywhere. As we prepare to bring the world's leaders together at the United Nations next week, we are reminded again in tragedy of our common humanity,” Kerry said in a statement issued late Saturday.

The US has pledged support to the Kenyan authorities.

“While we mourn with her family today, we also pledge our commitment to do whatever we can to assist in bringing the perpetrators of this abhorrent violence to justice, and to continue our efforts to improve the lives of people across the globe,” said Kerry.