Kenyans mark DusitD2 terror attack six years on

On this day six years ago, Kenyans remember and honour the 21 victims and scores of survivors of the DusitD2 Complex attack that occurred when terrorists stormed the compound around 3 pm.

They began by setting three vehicles parked outside the hotel complex on fire throwing the people in the vicinity into confusion before moving to a courtyard where a suicide bomber self-detonated outside Secret Garden Restaurant giving room for more armed attackers to move into the hotel shooting innocent bystanders.

However, before midnight, local security agencies had contained the attackers to the top floors of the hotel and rescued scores of civilians.

Within days of the attack, police named then-26-year-old Salim Gichunge from Nyeri as the ringleader of the assault. He was later killed during the attack.

Other Topics To Read

• National
• Dusit attack
• Dusit D2 terror attack
• Kenyans mark DusitD2 terror attack six years on
• Headlines

The third attacker, Mahir Riziki was reported to have been the suicide bomber who detonated himself outside the Secret Garden restaurant.

As the memories of the events that happened that day flashback in the minds of those who witnessed the incident, security agencies are still calling on Kenyans to report suspicious activities that they come across as the country heightens its surveillance.

"As we reflect on this tragic event, we pay tribute to our security forces, whose prompt action prevented further casualties. Together, let's continue to work towards a safer future for our nation, fostering resilience against violent extremism through collaboration and support for one another," the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) implored in a post on X.

Resilience

Kenyans continue to show resilience in efforts made to heal and move past the ordeal that hurt not only innocent lives but hurt the source of livelihood of others.

"January 15 remains a special day in my life. God rescued me from the hands of ruthless terrorists," Hiram Macharia, one of the attack's survivors tells The Eastleigh Voice.

On his part, senior Prosecution Counsel Duncan Ondimu called on all Kenyans to rededicate themselves to playing their respective roles in ensuring the peace and safety of the country.

"Today marks six (6) years since the gruesome events that took place at the Dusit D2 Hotel Complex. Horrific terrorist acts that took place at the Dusit D2 Hotel Complex led to the gruesome death of twenty-one (21) innocent souls. The scars caused by the terrorists on the 15th and 16th of January 2019 continue to linger on all peace-loving human beings. Let's all rededicate ourselves to play our respective roles in ensuring the peace and safety of our motherland," he said in a post on X.

The Dusit attack ranks amongst the largest attacks on Kenyan soil by the terror group following many foiled attacks by security agencies.

Efforts to nail the terrorists behind the attack saw its overall planner al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawihiri, killed in an operation in Kabul, Afghanistan as more continue to be hounded by local and international security agencies.

Two years ago, the United States announced a Sh1.2 billion compensation for persons with information leading to the arrest and successful conviction of Mohamoud Abdi Aden, the leader of the terror cell that planned the attack.

The announcement was made by immediate former US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman in Nairobi.

"Today I am announcing a reward of up to USD10 Million for information leading to the arrest or conviction in any country of Mohamoud Abdi Aden and any other individual who attempted or conspired to commit or aided or abetted in the commission of the 2019 attack on the DusitD2 hotel complex in Nairobi Kenya," Ambassador Whitman said and called on persons with information to share tips via the Rewards for Justice Programme hotlines +254 71 87 12 366 (Kenya) and +252 68 43 43 308 (Somalia).