BBC Africa

UK Home Secretary Theresa May has said she cannot confirm or deny that a British woman was involved in the Westgate attack. Speaking at a press conference in Pakistan, Ms May said: "I'm aware that there have been reports of a British woman being involved, but until we have seen the investigations completed, it is not possible to give further details to confirm or deny that issue."

fr3do:

israelis dont hate christians as much as muslims

[size=14pt]Nairobi attack: Kenya forces comb Westgate site[/size]

24 September 2013 Last updated at 09:24

Kenyan security forces are combing the Nairobi shopping centre attacked by suspected al-Shabab militants, as they seek to secure the site.

An explosion and bursts of gunfire were heard coming from the Westgate complex on Tuesday morning, as speculation grew that the operation was nearing its end.

At least 62 people have been killed with more than 170 injured.

Meanwhile, Kenya's foreign minister said "two or three" Americans and a British woman were among the attackers.

In an interview with the US TV programme PBS Newshour, Amina Mohamed said the Americans were 18 or 19 years old, of Somali or Arab origin, and lived "in Minnesota and one other place".

She said the Briton was a woman who has "done this many times before".

Ms Mohamed appeared to contradict earlier comments from Kenya's interior minister, who suggested that all the attackers were men - though some may have been dressed as women.

The BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Nairobi says Ms Mohamed's remarks have fuelled media speculation about the possible involvement of Samantha Lewthwaite, the widow of one of the men who carried out attacks on London's transport system on 7 July 2005.

British officials said they would not be drawn on the identity of the attackers while investigations continue.

The Kenyan Red Cross has told the BBC that 63 people remain unaccounted for.

Early on Tuesday a Kenyan officer at the scene said he believed there could be two or three attackers left inside the building.

Kenyan officials said earlier that three "terrorists" had been killed, and that 10 people had been arrested.

The Somali Islamist al-Shabab movement has said it carried out the attack in retaliation for Kenyan military operations in Somalia.

Kenyan Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku told the BBC late on Monday that the operation would continue overnight, but stressed it was in its final stages.

"The terrorists could be running and hiding in some stores, but all floors now are under our control," he said. "There is no room for escape."

The interior ministry said it believed all hostages had been released.

Blood donations

As night fell on Monday, flames and thick smoke continued to rise from the building an hour after four large explosions shook the neighbourhood.

Between 12 and 15 militants stormed the Westgate centre on Saturday, throwing grenades and firing on shoppers and staff.

At least 18 foreigners are among the dead, including six Britons, as well as citizens from France, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, Peru, India, Ghana, South Africa and China.




Nearly 200 people were wounded, including five Americans.

President Barack Obama called the attack a "terrible outrage" and said the US was providing all the co-operation it could to Kenya.

Thousands of Kenyans have been responding to appeals for blood donations.

Al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaeda, has repeatedly threatened attacks on Kenyan soil if Nairobi did not pull its troops out of Somalia.

There are about 4,000 Kenyan troops in the south of Somalia as part of an African Union force supporting Somali government forces.

Al-Shabab is fighting to create an Islamic state in Somalia.

Despite being pushed out of key cities in the past two years, it remains in control of smaller towns and large swathes of the countryside.

onila: it seems Israel remains the perfect model for dealing with these Islamic terror goats.

thats one country, that Christians are proud of

one country that the muslim world and arab country are scared off

africa-down will run if he meets Isreali army

50calibre:


And who told you Christians are proud of Israel? Fo*lish Christians who know nothing are proud of Israel, not the informed ones.

Israel which pre-dominantly practises Judaism, are enemies of the Christians, they don't believe in Christianity, they don't believe in Jesus Christ.

There are more Muslims in Israel, than Christians.

Scun: It's worh pointing out that the Kenyan forces aren't in control of the mall yet as they claim. So much misinformation going on

Kenyanstar: This hostages were both rescued, both the mother and her two children managed to go to safety. the picture below exhibits the girl being carried by the brave cop and the mother at the back with the little child......

50calibre:


Go away with your inanimate gods, I'd urinate on your gods

Scun: Reports have it that the terrorists got to know the mall very well by first renting a phone shop there and operating for over a month. Infact most of the ammunitions used for the attack were brought in beforehand by those phone shop operators packaged in phone cartons.

Scun: If their tweets are anything to go by, all the terrorists are now wearing Kenyan Army uniforms gotten from the soldiers they killed.

africa-down:



LMAO, that will be fun to see. How do you fight someone who is ready to die vs the kenyans who never fought a war who fight for a pay check?

dbrownfidha:

! I dont know what kind of gun(a gun that can bend!!) is the 2nd last pic but it surely works for me

Scun: HIV aids go spread pra aaaa praaaa! No one is gonna convince me that the screenings will be 100% accurate with such a rush. Not even 70%.

Abu Mikey: Buh,their ammunition is no joke oo ,see
Machines!!!





Who be the PhotoJournalist(s) wen take the
pics,You deserve some award(s) oo

africa-down:


am guessing they got tired of killing kenyan soldiers inside somalia

onila: it seems Israel remains the perfect model for dealing with these Islamic terror goats.

thats one country, that Christians are proud of

one country that the muslim world and arab country are scared off

africa-down will run if he meets Isreali army

Scun: One of the Al shaabab Twitter accounts says all hostages have been killed, estimates total casualty to be 200.

Hello Akwasi Sarpong here, I'm presenting Focus on Africa today at 15, 17 and 19GMT. Some of the stories we are working on

Kenya remains the main story with Kenyan Defence forces saying they're defusing explosive devices in Nairobi's Westgate Mall hours after sporadic gunfire was heard there. Is the siege over?

We hear more personal stories from survivors

In neighbouring Uganda, the military chief says the AU mission in Somalia is overstretched. President Kenyatta is due to address the nation. What must the government do next?

Should 10 to 16 year olds be given contraceptives? In Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Health says its considering doing so to reduce early teenage pregnancies.

And we'll also look ahead to Friday's Africa Debate on the topic: Can democracy deliver for Africa? Any strong views? Share them here for Focus on Africa. (as ever please let us know where you are writing from)

Scun: If their tweets are anything to go by, all the terrorists are now wearing Kenyan Army uniforms gotten from the soldiers they killed.

GH KWAME:

True! The Politicians should leave the media info to the military! Everyone wants to speak when presented with a microphone.

GH KWAME:

True! The Politicians should leave the media info to the military! Everyone wants to speak when presented with a microphone.