Kenya defeats terrorists after four-day siege (3)

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Kenya defeats terrorists after four-day siege (3)

(Xinhua) 08:22, September 25, 2013

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ECONOMIC DAMAGE

The multi-storey Westgate mall, consisting of more than 80 shops as well as a Nakumatt supermarket, used be a place for wealthy Kenyans, foreigners and tourists to shop and relax. Now, it reminds people of not only the bloody tragedy but also risks they might face when shopping in big malls and supermarkets.

Kephas, from security guard company Securex who works at the construction site about 500 meters from the mall, was deeply saddened as his colleague who was on duty at the mall was killed by the gunmen. He said Kenyan citizens and tourists must be shocked by the attack with a carry-over of fear. "We are afraid to shop in big malls," he said, adding the attack would hurt the country's economy.

A man named Paul who works for a Chinese restaurant for six years said the attack brought a "huge problem." People will become suspicious and too scared to go to shopping malls and supermarkets. " Because you will never know whether there are terrorists around you," he said.

Kenya's leading supermarket Nakumatt was among the most affected by the attack with the Westgate and Ukay branches remaining shut down.

Kenya Private Sector Alliance chief executive officer Carole Kariuki told Daily Nation newspaper that the business community has suffered a huge blow in the attack.

"Whereas it is too early to quantify losses, a lot is going on in there. From what is being destroyed to the general closure of the mall and other shopping outlets and the many employees that have lost their lives, it's going to be a big loss to this nation, " Ms Kariuki said.

The attack would also deal a further blow to the east African nation where tourism is a pillar industry, which is already dented by increased insurgency after Kenya launched cross-border incursion into Somalia to pursue the militants.

Kenyatta has urged wealthy governments not to issue warnings to their citizens against visiting Kenya as it would damage the country's tourism and economy.

Cabinet Secretary of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Phyllis Jepkosgei Kandie assured Kenyans and foreigners that the government will continue to be on high alert to deal with and avert any security threats posed by terrorist elements in the country.

"We wish to assure tourists that Kenya is peaceful and our security agencies are doing everything possible to ensure that every one is safe," Kandie said, extending welcome to tourists to visit all tourist facilities across the country that are operating normally.