39killedinKenyamallattack,Al-Shabaabclaimsresponsibility.docVIP

39 killed in Kenya mall attack, Al-Shabaab claims responsibility The death toll in an attack by gunmen on a popular upmarket shopping mall in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on Saturday rose to 39, according to Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta. They have killed at least 39 innocent people and injured more than 150 others. With the entire nation, I stand with the families of those who have lost their lives and extend every Kenyans deepest condolences, Kenyatta said in a televised speech. The emotional Kenyatta also confirmed that he lost some of his very close family members. I know how you feel, having also personally lost very close family members. I ask God to give all of us comfort as we confront this tragedy. He said the despicable perpetrators of the cowardly act that left both locals and foreigners dead or injured hoped to intimidate, divide and cause despondency among Kenyans. He said security has been enhanced across the East Africa nation, with numerous measures put in place to hunt down perpetrators of the heinous act. The government stands ready to defend the nation from internal and external aggressors, he said. Kenya has overcome terrorist attacks before and will defeat them again, he addressed. We shall hunt down the perpetrators wherever they run to. We shall get them. We shall punish them for this heinous crime, he said. Kenyatta made the speech as the standoff continues into the night between police officers and the armed men in the mall, hours after the shootout began in the morning. The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) secretary general Abbas Gullet told Xinhua earlier that rescue operation is still underway, expressing fears that there would be more casualties since some of the shoppers are still holed up in the mall. However, Kenyas interior ministry is not sure whether there are hostages inside the mall. KRCS officials also told Xinhua that currently there are no Chinese casualties in the attack. The Chinese Embassy in Kenyas capital Nairobi said that