Thursday, November 22, 2012
Relative calm returned to Nairobi's Eastleigh neighbourhood Tuesday (November 20th) after an explosion on a minibus on Sunday sparked two days of rioting Kenya's Daily Nation reported.
Security officials held a meeting with religious, political and community leaders to discuss ways to resolve tensions in the area. President Mwai Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and representatives from the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) also attended the meeting.
"Kenyans are dying every day as a result of terrorist acts and this is spiralling into inter-ethnic violence," said NCIC chairman Mzalendo Kibunjia. "Somali Kenyans are our brothers and neighbours and should not be targeted for activities carried out by criminals."
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud condemned the terrorist attack and sent his condolences to victims and their families. "Terrorism is the most timid and inhumane activity against innocent civilians," he said in a press release.
Local Kenyan Muslim leader Sheikh Mohammed Shakul condemned Sunday's bombing and urged Kenyans to remain unified in the face of acts of terror. "Those engaging in the supposed repercussion attacks on Somalis and Muslims are fulfilling the criminals' wish," he said, according to Kenya's The Star.
Meanwhile, Somalia's Ambassador to Kenya Mohamed Ali Nur has asked the Kenyan government to open more police stations in Eastleigh "to stop the repeated army attacks against ethnic Somalis", according to Somalia's Shabelle Media Network.
He also called on Somalis in Eastleigh to work with the police to tighten security and protect their lives and properties.