Friday, October 28, 2011
US has clarified that it is only offering logistical support to the Kenyan troops inside Somalia from within the Kenyan territory.
US ambassador Scott Gration told journalists in Nairobi Friday that his government will continue supporting Kenya to curtail any external aggression.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Yusuf Haji has denied media reports that the government is negotiating with Al-Shabaab to end Somalia operation.
On Thursday, Foreign Affairs assistant minister was quoted saying that the government is in constant communication with the militia group and is ready for talks with it.
And during a press briefing, the Government Spokesman Dr Alfred Mutua vowed that the government would never negotiate with a criminal gang like the Al Shabaab.
Mutua exuded confidence that Kenya was already winning the war against them.
Meanwhile, business enterprises in Nairobi are losing nearly Ksh 80 million daily as customers shy away from the Nairobi Central Business District (NCBD) following the recent spate of grenade attacks that have been witnessed in the City.
The most affected businesses include shopping Malls, Bars, hotels, Restaurants and the transport sector.
Speaking during a protective security advice meeting for businesses in the Central Business District (CBD), Nairobi Central Business District Association (NCBDA) Chairperson Timothy Kariuki told people to go about their day to day activities normally to prevent collapse of businesses.
"It is important that Kenyans continue with their normal lives despite the threat posed by the Al-Shabaab militia as shying away from Malls, Bars, hotels, Restaurants and public transport system is greatly affecting the country's economy", added Kariuki.
He advised business owners to improve security in their premises by installing modern surveillance systems, being extra vigilant and beefing up security by employing private guards so as to identify would be terrorists.
Earlier the NCBDA Chair commended the police for beefing up security in the city but asked them to concentrate on preventing proliferation of dangerous weapons on the borders.
The meeting which was also attended by security firms sought to raise awareness of the security threat posed by the Al-Shabaab militia group and the measures that can be taken to reduce risks as well as mitigate the effects of such attacks for businesses in the CBD.