Gunmen killed at least six people in this Kwa Chege hotel in Garissa County on April 18,2013. Photo/CORRESPONDENT
NATION MEDIA GROUP
Daily Nation
Saturday, April 20, 2013
President Uhuru Kenyatta has dispatched and directed the
country’s security chiefs to investigate the Garissa killings and
apprehend those responsible.
In a statement from the Office of the President, Mr Kenyatta said a report on the same should be handed to him by Monday.
“The President has directed all top security
chiefs to go to Garissa today and get to the bottom of Garissa killings
once and for all and do whatever should be done to apprehend the
notorious criminal cell operating within Garissa and the Refugee Camps,”
said the statement.
Adding: “I am concerned about the continued wanton
killing of innocent people including security officers who were
targeted, ‘this must stop once and for all.”
Area leaders, Mr Kenyatta said must support security agencies in the operation to weed out the criminals.
Internal Security PS Mutea Iringo, Inspector
General of Police David Kimaiyo, CID boss Ndegwa Muhoro and NIS Director
Michael Gichangi will meet with local authorities to resolve the issue.
President Kenyatta wants a report on Monday while action should be taken immediately.
While sending his condolences, he said the
government will foot burial costs for those who were killed and waive
hospital bills for those admitted after the attack.
“The government will assist families of the
deceased with burial costs and waive hospital fees for those admitted,”
read the statement by Head of Public Service Francis Kimemia on behalf
of the president.
At least nine people were killed on Thursday
evening when gunmen stormed Kwa Chege hotel off Jamia Mosque road and
opened fire at close range with AK 47 rifles, killing six on the spot.
Three people later succumbed to gunshot injuries.
Police say the gunmen escaped soon after the attack and motive of attack is yet to be established.
Witnesses said the attack happened at 7.30pm as revellers were watching evening news.
North Eastern PPO Charlton Muriithi while confirming the attack said that an operation was underway.
Earlier this month, a student was shot dead and
three people injured in an attack by gunmen said to have targeted a
kiosk dealer in the town.
Similar attacks have occurred in the town in north eastern part of Kenya; most of them targeting police officers on duty.
Early this month, two police officers were shot dead near the local Post Office by gunmen.
In this incident, witnesses said the attackers
first threw a grenade at nine officers who were in a group before
shooting at them.