Obama calls Uhuru, confirms visit to Kenya despite attack
President Barack Obama called Kenya’s president Friday to express condolences and offer the support of the United States after Al-Shabaab militants stormed Garissa University college and killed at least 147 people.
President Obama also reaffirmed to President Kenyatta his commitment to visiting Kenya in July for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit — a trip that was announced just three days before the attack early Thursday morning.
Obama said that “he looks forward to meeting with President Kenyatta again in Nairobi in July,” the White House said.
“The two leaders will discuss how to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation and continue to work together to build a safer and more prosperous future for Kenya and the broader region.”
“Words cannot adequately condemn the terrorist atrocities that took place at Garissa University College, where innocent men and women were brazenly and brutally massacred,” President Obama said in a statement.
“We will stand hand-in-hand with the Kenyan government and people against the scourge of terrorism and in their efforts to bring communities together,” President Obama said.
The four gunmen, wielding AK-47s and wearing explosive vests, targeted Christians and took hostages.
All four attackers were killed by security forces fifteen hours after the violence began, authorities said.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility.
“I know that the people of Garissa and all of Kenya will grieve, but their determination to achieve a better and more secure future will not be deterred,” President Obama said.