Kenya: Terrorist Attack In Paris A Reminder Of 500 Kenyans Killed By al Qaeda, Says President Uhuru Kenyatta

In the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks by ISIS, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta says the Kenya attacks by al Qaeda-linked groups serve as an example of how nations should respond to groups like DAESH and al Qaeda. Kenya’s terrorist attacks have left at least 500 people dead over the last three years, and Kenyatta says the Paris attacks must be “met with the strongest action.”

In a related report by the Inquisitr, during Kenya’s attack back on April 2, 2015, 147 people were killed and 79 injured at Garissa University College. The body count is similar to the Paris terrorist attacks, but some claim there was a major disparity in media coverage since Kenya is a third world country. In addition, Facebook does not offer Kenya’s flag as a temporary filter.

Many of the same criticisms have also been applied to the recent Beirut bombing attack in Lebanon, which killed 43 people and wounded well over 200 victims. Similarly, Lebanon’s flag was not offered as a Facebook option, making some declare that a double standard has been applied.

Police Urge Vigilance In Preparation For New Kenya Attack

Since 2011, Kenya’s terrorist attacks have increased dramatically in number since the Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) deployed troops in neighboring Somalia in order to hunt down al Qaeda-linked terrorist groups like Al-Shabaab. According to Quartz, the number of incidents involving militant Islamic groups has increased from 41 attacks in 2011 up to 115 Kenya attacks in 2014 alone.

Al-Shabaab also claimed responsibility for the assault on the college campus in Garissa County. Such groups have killed at least 500 people over the last three years, but the militants may also be responsible for numerous abductions and tourist murders.

Due to the history of Kenya’s terrorist attacks, authorities have asked Kenyans to increase their own security following the Paris attacks.

“Whilst we the police have stepped up vigilance, we call on the public to exercise maximum level of alertness,” Police Chief Joseph Boinnet said, according to Bloomberg. “The same threat remains real in our country.

Pope Francis plans on touring Africa starting on November 25, 2015, and the Catholic leader’s visit will start with Kenya. In preparation for the papal visit, Boinnet is urging all citizens to help.

“I urge everyone to report any suspicious activity and/or persons to the police or any security agency for action,” he said.

Progress Made Since The Last Kenya Attacks

The Daily Nation writes that “modest progress has been made since Garissa” and notes how five Muslim mosques in the Kenyan city of Mombasa are “in the hands of a moderate leadership of mosque committees.” Citizens living within the threatened Kenyan cities are “beginning to have more faith in the security services and are providing crucial actionable intelligence.” At the same time, the report reminds everyone that “complacency is the terrorists’ best tactical ally.”

“Kenyan towns and cities remain highly vulnerable to attacks despite a heightened state of vigilance and enhanced security checks. It is almost certain active Al-Shabaab cells in the country will attempt to stage attacks on high-profile targets at some point in the future.”

The report urges anyone who has been lulled into a “creeping sense of false security” should not let their “guard down” in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks.

Kenya’s President Responds To ISIS’ Terrorist Attack On France

Just hours after DAESH members stormed the streets of Paris, President Uhuru Kenyatta referred to the Islamic State as a common enemy to all of humanity.

“Today, as in the years past, the people and the government of Kenya stand with France at a moment in which our common humanity has been attacked in Paris by terrorists, and innocent civilians murdered in cold blood,” he said in a statement, according to Standard Media.

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel has also expressed similar sentiments, saying the terrorist attack in Paris was aimed at all of humanity, not just France.

The Kenyan president also said the world could apply lessons learned by Kenya in its fight against terrorists. Referring to Kenya’s attacks as a “similar outrage,” Kenyatta recommended “the attacks in Paris must be met with the strongest action by our security forces.”

“We stand with them, in sorrow for their losses, but also with resolve to join them in fighting terrorist organisations and networks until democracy and liberty can be free from their evil threat,” the Kenyan president said. “Kenya stands ready to offer every assistance possible in this regard, and indeed we will continue to relentlessly prosecute our war against terrorist groups and their support networks.”

(Photo by Uriel Sinai/Getty Images)