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News

What on EARTH happened in Kenya :-(??

198 replies

PacificDogwood · 21/09/2013 14:14

Save us all from fanatics .

I am quite fanatically against extremists of all colours/faiths/nationalities.

What can go on in their heads when they plan an attack like this? Are they hoping to win support? Do they truly believe that atrocious acts like this wins a place in paradise?? Really?

I despair sometimes .

OP posts:

Report

PacificDogwood · 23/09/2013 13:56

The news looks horrific .

This is quite an interesting summary of what's going on in Africa and beyond wrt what makes extremist groups attractive to some.

I hope Kenya will continue to pull together as a country.

OP posts:

measuringcup · 23/09/2013 15:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

marcopront · 23/09/2013 19:10

Unless you are there at Westgate, how can you know how bad it is, and if the reporting is accurate.
During the post election violence in Kenya, many people said it was not as bad as the media portrayed. A friend in the KDF said it was much worse. He was at Westgate on Saturday and I am sure is there again, I will be interested to hear his opinion on the media coverage.

marcopront · 23/09/2013 19:13

I'm sorry Duchesse, I have just reread your post, I thought you said your sister had said it was not as bad. I have now realised you said it was worse.

marcopront · 23/09/2013 19:17

I am finding two facebook groups quite informative.
Westgate Attacks and Moll News.
I used to teach the people behind Moll News, so am biased about them.

MmeLindor · 23/09/2013 20:16

It is horrific. I have been following on Twitter, where there is a lot of disinformation and panic but also some truth - you have to search a bit when info is posted to see if it is being confirmed elsewhere.

It doesn't bear thinking about, what these poor people have gone through, and are still going through.

It was such a soft target - we were in a mall like this one in summer in Nairobi, and there were guards on the doors, but they would have been helpless against this kind of attack.

PacificDogwood · 23/09/2013 20:47

There are ?armed guards in uniform in some American shopping malls, but like you say, I am not sure they would be much good against an organised and determined, well armed attack - I suspect anybody who looks like they might have a gun would be the first targets.

I am getting to the point where I now want to stop reading/hearing about it . I don't like it when my usual ability to live in blissful denial about what goes on in the world gets abruptly torn away... Humans have the capacity to be beasts. Or saints. But the beasts have more fire power usually.

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 23/09/2013 20:55

I can't watch that anymore.

nowwhat · 23/09/2013 20:57

Im assuming its similar in Kenya but most shops and especially banks in Uganda have a guard with an AK47 outside, they are often poorly trained and would be sitting ducks against the likes of these people. My partner has armed guards at night at his home and I wouldn't put money on them being much use with the guns if it came to it. These terrorists know this and what is terrifying is that it could have happened anywhere, we're going back in 3 weeks and this mall is identical to the one we go to for our food shopping in Kampala, owned by the same people, it brings it home to me how normal a day it was. I have lots of friends in Nairobi and still waiting to hear from them all.

The love that is being shown for Kenya at the moment is wonderful, it's a pity it takes events like these to remind us all that we're all one huge family.

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 23/09/2013 21:07

I can't watch anymore either
I just want to know when it's over
Those poor innocent people

MmeLindor · 23/09/2013 21:21

Yes, Nowwhat - the hotel was the same. One guy who sat around the entrance. tbh, it made me more nervous than anything else, because it was quite obvious that he would be able to do much if the hotel was attacked.

I hope your friends get in touch soon.

nowwhat · 23/09/2013 21:47

Just realised the lady who was 8 and a half months pregnant killed along with her husband is a friend of a friend, I didn't recognise her until I saw the photo of her with Bill Clinton on Sky News. Didn't know her personally but feel desperately sad for her friends and family.

The whole situation is heartbreaking but murdering a pregnant woman, I don't have words for that.

PacificDogwood · 23/09/2013 21:52

And the children...
No words.

There is just no possible justification for acts like this.

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expatinscotland · 23/09/2013 21:56

The bastards also murdered another woman who was 6 months pregnant with her first child in the carpark.

bbc

MmeLindor · 23/09/2013 21:59

Nowwhat
I read a heartbreaking blog post about that couple. Will see if I can find it

MmeLindor · 23/09/2013 22:01

here - someone linked to it on Twitter earlier today.

difficultpickle · 23/09/2013 22:11

I can't believe it is still going on. I wonder whether the Kenyan government will ask for outside assistance - SAS, Mossad etc?

PacificDogwood · 23/09/2013 22:11

The writer of that blog is so right (not that I knew them or even off them until they became victims of this crime): the loss of involved people like they seem to have been goes way beyond the tragically sad personal gap their deaths must leave with those who love them.
RIP both of them. And their child .

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 23/09/2013 22:37

'the loss of involved people like they seem to have been goes way beyond the tragically sad personal gap their deaths must leave with those who love them.
RIP both of them. And their child '

That is true of everyone. :( Those parents will grieve until they die. They have been handed a life sentence and their children a death sentence. For no crime.

meditrina · 23/09/2013 22:58

"I can't believe it is still going on. I wonder whether the Kenyan government will ask for outside assistance - SAS, Mossad etc?"

It's been quite widely reported today that UK, US and Israeli special forces are already assisting.

difficultpickle · 23/09/2013 23:07

That's interesting. I heard on Saturday that Israeli special forces were advising because the shopping centre is part-Israeli owned. I wasn't aware they had troops on the ground though and haven't heard any reports about UK and US special forces being there too. I'm really surprised that it is still going on if that is the case.

meditrina · 23/09/2013 23:13

There isn't (and won't be) much said. The existence of long-standing co-operation and joint training is however known. It doesn't take long to fly in.

difficultpickle · 23/09/2013 23:33

Who with? Do you mean UK or Israel?

edam · 23/09/2013 23:36

I think it was the same bunch of saddo terrorists, al-Shabab who were behind an appalling massacre at a school not long ago. There was a thread about it a few months ago - apparently they disapprove of education. Despicable gutless bastards.

Worriedformyfriend · 24/09/2013 07:09

American, israeli and British special forces have all been with the kenyans, they all have very close links with the country.

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