NAIROBI, Kenya Jan 15 – Kenya is commemorating the fifth anniversary of the January 15, 2019, terrorist attack on the DusitD2 complex in Nairobi’s Westlands area and the Ellade attack against soldiers in Somalia.
This attack, carried out by the Somalia-based Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist organization, resulted in the deaths of more than 20 people, including sixteen Kenyans, an American, a South African, a Briton, and three individuals who were not identified.
The siege by the terrorists at the once-bustling complex, frequently visited by diplomats and other foreign nationals, lasted for nearly 20 hours before Kenyan security forces successfully neutralized the five terrorists.
Kenya is also remembering the eighth anniversary of another attack by Al-Shabaab on a Kenyan-run AMISOM army base in El Adde, Gedo, Somalia. This attack claimed the lives of at least 100 soldiers.
While official casualty figures have not been released by Kenya todate, the El Adde attack remains one of the deadliest assaults on Kenyan forces.
Kenya has played a crucial role as part of a multinational coalition in the fight against Al-Shabaab terrorists in Somalia.
Ahead of the anniversaries, United Kingdom updated its travel advisory to its citizens and staff residing or visiting Kenya.
The advisory recommends avoiding travel to areas within 60 kilometers of Kenya’s border with Somalia.
For those considering travel to specific regions in Kenya, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has provided detailed advice to ensure safety.
Travellers are encouraged to research their destinations and obtain appropriate travel insurance.
