Update: President Kenyatta's statement on Wajir terrorist attack.
On the Wajir terrorist attack, President Uhuru Kenyatta informed that security forces are pursuing the killers and assured that the government would not relent in its ruthless crackdown on criminal elements, including suspected terrorists, in its solemn duty to safeguard the lives and property of Kenyans.
The head of state further sends a strong warning and reminder to misguided elements operating within and outside of our national borders and whose actions harm innocent Kenyans that no effort will be spared in neutralizing the threat.
President Kenyatta's statement on collapsed Tassia building:
President Uhuru Kenyatta, on December 7, directed that a thorough investigation on what led to the collapse of a residential building in Tassia Estate in Nairobi's Embakasi area, that happened on December 6, 2019.
In a statement by the Presidential Strategic Communications Unit, President Kenyatta, after receiving a status report on the rescue operation, went further to order that the multi-agency team to avert further loss of lives in the rubble.
“The president directs law enforcement agencies to hasten investigations into the collapsed building with a view of taking punitive legal action against those whose actions and/or inactions led to the incident,” read the statement.
The head of state further called on Kenyans to vacate all buildings that seem likely to collapse or are condemned.
“The head of state commended the multi-agency rescue team comprising of government and humanitarian agencies for the swift and well-coordinated response that helped avert more deaths in the collapsed building and appeals to Kenyans to vacate all condemned structures across the country,” an excerpt of PSCU's statement read.
Kenyatta also sent a message of condolence to the affected families assuring the government’s support in the incident.
“The head of state sends his deepest sympathies and condolences to the families and acquaintances of those that lost their loved ones in the two ugly incidents.
“To those injured in the collapsed building in Tassia, the president wishes them quick recovery and assures that rescue efforts will continue until after every missing person is accounted for,” the communique from State House added.
According to Nairobi Regional Commissioner Wilson Njega, on December 7, the number of deaths reported stands at 4 people while 29 people are reported injured and are receiving treatment at Mama Lucy Hospital.
The collapse of the building has been largely blamed on substandard construction.
