Kenya warns terrorist sympathizers

Kenya's Vice-President William Ruto has warned of dire consequences for anyone who supports terrorism. The warning came following an attack on a bus that killed 28 passengers, for which the al-Shabab terrorist group later claimed responsibility. Speaking to journalists at a press conference on Sunday (23.11.2014), Ruto said the Mandera killings were encouraged by rhetoric from certain quarters.

"It has become clear there are people among us who sympathize with, harbor, facilitate and defend terrorists. Quite shockingly some of these people are elected leaders," Ruto added.

Warning the people who are collaborating with terrorists, Ruto declared that Kenya would continue to hunt down anyone involved in trying to destroy the country's peace.

"Our message to them is clear: you may sneak in and attack innocent civilians, but for any attack on Kenya and its people, we shall pursue you wherever you go," Ruto said.

Confirming the killing of the militants allegedly involved in the attack, Ruto hailed the swift response by Kenya's Defense Force.

"Our retaliatory action left more than 100 fatalities and four camps were destroyed," said Ruto.

He also reiterated the government's pledge to protect its civilians against terrorist activities.

The attack has been condemned by leaders across the religious divide, while some claimed that this is a war waged between the Muslim and non-Muslim communities.

Speaking to DW, Adan Wachu, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Muslims in Kenya (SUPKEM), however, rejected the claims.

"That was a beastly act, and Islam is not terrorism and terrorism is not Islam. They have executed it from a scripture that none of us can be able to read. We call on the government to deal with them," Wachu told DW.

Terrorist activities downplayed by the government

The al-Shabab terrorist group has claimed that the killings were a retaliatory attack for an alleged takeover of four mosques in Mombasa by Kenyan security forces. The Mandera terror attack came three days after security forces sealed off four mosques in the port city of Mombasa. They were believed to be armories, after dozens of radicalized youth were arrested with assorted weapons ranging from grenades and petrol bombs to machetes and other crude weapons.

Mandera County Governor Ali Roba blames the government for ignoring intelligence reports from the area where the attack took place.

"About two weeks ago I shared grave concerns about increased terror activities along our borders - which were downplayed," Roba said.

"It's better to report to every intelligence you get and find nothing than fail to respond when information comes about and try to downplay and put the country to sleep," Roba added.

Saturday's attack was a grim reminder of last year's terror attack in a shopping mall in Nairobi, where about 70 people were killed by heavily armed gunmen.

The Somalia-based al-Shabab militia has been mounting attacks in Kenya since 2011, when the Kenya Defense Forces entered Somalia in pursuit of the terror group.