On Tuesday afternoon gunmen associated with the Al Shabaab stormed the Dusit Hotel complex and killed 21 people.
The attack occurred on the third anniversary of the El Adde attack in Somalia, which saw terror group Al-Shabaab overrun an Amisom army base on January 15, 2016, killing more than 100 soldiers.
DusitD2 is located in the leafy suburb of 14 Riverside Drive and neighbors three western embassies making it a pretty safe neighborhood.
Responsible for the attack
However, Al Shabaab is claimed to have launched the attack as retaliation for U.S President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.
Reuters said the terrorist group sent statements where they took responsibility for the attack.
“The Mujahideen (holy warriors) carried out this operation … (as) a response to the witless remarks of U.S. president, Donald Trump, and his declaration of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) as the capital of Israel,” the two-page statement read.
Kenya was among 33 countries that sent representatives to the opening of a US embassy in Jerusalem.
Because Jerusalem is claimed by both Israel and Palestine, the occasion sparked fatal protests in the Gaza strip with Israeli forces killing 58 palestines to quell protests.
Concerns raised
Observers raised concern that Kenya being present in the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem, could place it at more risk of terror attacks.
In fact, 10 days before the function in Jerusalem, the American embassy in Kenya had issued a travel advisory.
Africa had the heaviest representation than any other continent whose countries sent their officials to the event.
The Arab League which comprises of 22 member states asked the international community to oppose the “unjust decision” by Israel and the US.