Roundup: Western countries vow to help Kenya combat extremism

Three Western countries on Thursday condemned the terrorist attack on a local university in northern Kenya which has so far claimed 17 lives and wounded over 65 others.

In separate statements, foreign envoys from United States, Britain and Germany vowed to work with the Kenyan government to end the scourge of terrorism, which has claimed many lives and maimed thousands in the East African nation.

U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec said the attack once again reinforced the need for all countries and communities to unite in an effort to combat violent extremism.

"The United States remains a committed friend of Kenya. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the government and people of Kenya in the effort to end the scourge of terrorism," Godec said in his condolence message.

"We extend our deepest condolences to all who have been affected. We also offer our profound appreciation and gratitude to the members of the Kenyan security services who are risking their lives to end this cowardly attack," the envoy added.

The statement came after President Uhuru Kenyatta said security had been stepped up along the border with Somalia and appealed to Kenyans to be extra vigilant and take security measures seriously.

The security agencies have circulated a picture of wanted Al- Shabaab terrorist and offered a reward of 217,400 U.S. dollars on information that may lead to his arrest.

The security agencies said Mohamed Kuno from Garissa is the one behind the attack in Garissa and other past attacks which have claimed several lives in the northern region.

The East African nation has warned that attacks as threatened by the Somalia-based terrorist group Al-Shabaab could affect the country's risk profile, limiting the number of new investments being made especially by foreign investors.

In his statement, German Deputy-Ambassador to Kenya Friedo Sielemann encouraged all parties in Kenya to cooperate closely to face the challenges raised by terrorism.

"Germany sharply condemns the heinous terrorist attack on Garissa University, a place of learning and personal development. We share the pain of the families and friends who lost loved ones, " Sielemann said in his condolence message.

"Our thoughts are with the people of Kenya in this terrible moment. We wish all those who were hurt a swift recovery. We stand by Kenya in solidarity in the fight against terrorism in East Africa," he added.

In his statement, British High Commissioner to Kenya Christian Turner, whose country had warned of imminent terror attacks in the coastal region, Nairobi and Garissa, termed the incident as "cowardly"

"Kenyan resolve and unity is stronger than terrorist's hatred," he said via Twitter on Thursday while condoling with victims and families.

Turner's remarks on the attack come barely a week after the British government expanded its travel warnings to Kenya.

Meanwhile, sporadic exchange of gunfire could still be heard from the university compound between the insurgents inside and the security forces outside.

The National Disaster Operations Center said all staff of the university have been accounted for, and are helping with the tracking of students.

The police have stepped up security around vital installations likely to be targets of attacks by Al-Shabaab, who have vowed to bring down Kenya's skyscrapers because of cross border incursion in the Horn of Africa nation.

There has been heightened security around the country, particularly along the border with security agencies at an unprecedented state of alert amid the latest reports that Al- Shabaab has planned attacks against Kenya in protest over cross border incursion in southern Somalia. Endi