30 September 2013 – The Jesuit Eastern Africa Province has condemned the terror attack on Westgate Mall in Nairobi that left 67 people dead and scores of others injured.

The Somali-based al-Shabaab militant group has claimed responsibility for the massacre, which started on Saturday 21 September, when 10 to 15 heavily armed militants stormed the popular shopping mall. The terror ended only after a four-day siege by Kenyan security forces.

In a statement issued on 23 September, the Jesuit Provincial of Eastern Africa, Fr Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator SJ, condemned the attackers’ “heinous and cowardly acts” and expressed firm support for the Kenyan government’s efforts to end the ordeal.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and survivors of the attacks,” said Fr Orobator. “It is terrors like these, in Kenya and around the world, that undermine the very values and way of life that we try to promote. They reinforce the need for us to continue advocating for peace and justice. We therefore strongly reiterate our commitment to peace and a faith that does justice and that the security of all Kenyans is paramount.”