Somali militant group Al Shabaab claims it instigated an attack on 14 Riverside, Nairobi, as revenge for a decision taken by US President Donald Trump.
They disclosed the attack was revenge for Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.
“The Mujahideen (holy warriors) carried out this operation … (as) a response to the witless remarks of U.S. president, Donald Trump, and his declaration of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) as the capital of Israel,” a two-page statement read.
The group stated its fighters stormed the Dusit D2 complex on instructions by Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.
“This came in accordance with the directive by al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri to target western and Zionist interests,” the statement continued.
On December 6, 2017, Trump reversed decades of U.S. policy and recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
POTUS, at the time, also announced his administration would begin a process of moving the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
The status of Jerusalem – home to sites holy to the Muslim, Jewish and Christian religions – is one of the biggest obstacles to reaching a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
On Wednesday, President Uhuru Kenyatta declared that the country would track down all the perpetrators of the attack and ensure justice is served.
"We will seek out every person that was involved in planning, funding, and execution of this attack. We are on the highest alert and we shall remain so.
"In the coming days and weeks, we shall continue the never-ending work of strengthening our systems. From the means available Judicial arms, we will continue taking every step to make our nation inhospitable to terrorist groups and their networks," he stated.
