Kenya: CAFOD calls for unity and peace after terror attack on hotel

DusitD2 hotel

Source: CAFOD

At least 15 people were killed and 30 injured yesterday when suspected militants attacked and occupied a luxury hotel complex in Nairobi.

CAFOD's Country Representative, Catherine Ogolla described the attacks at the DusitD2 hotel complex in Nairobi as horrifying and worrying, but says that communities must not become divided because of them, and instead must work for peace and social cohesion.

She said: "What terrorists of any type want is to divide communities and sow violence, so all peoples must stand together for peace and unity in this time of trouble, sending the message out that any form of violent terror will not succeed; will not divide the Kenyan nation."

According to Kenyan Police, the attack took place on Tuesday (15 January) just after 3pm Nairobi time, with an explosion in the parking lot of the hotel complex, and then a suicide bomb blast in the hotel foyer.

Ogolla continued: "The Kenyan people need a sustained commitment to peace, we cannot allow these events to derail that. Most of all we know that extremism thrives on hopelessness so above all we must continue to work together to offer hope for a brighter future to all the peoples of Kenya.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people affected by this horrific attack."

CAFOD has been working in the region since 1962, opening a regional office in Nairobi in 1998. CAFOD works together with the local Catholic Church, aid workers and other non-Church agencies, to respond to humanitarian emergencies and longer term development needs in marginalised communities across the country