Impact of extremist attacks in Kenya

Source: Reuters
Aug 7 (Medeshi) - The world must solve crises in the Middle East and Somalia or they will spawn more of the extremism that led to bombings of U.S. embassies in east Africa a decade ago, Kenya's prime minister said on Thursday.
Here are some facts about bombings in Kenya and their effect on the east African nation's vital tourism trade, foreign policy and relations with its Muslims, most of whom live on the coast:
* An al Qaeda truck bomb killed at least 225 people, the vast majority of them Kenyans, at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi on Aug. 7, 1998. A simultaneous attack hit the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania. Many Kenyans remain bitter at the United States, saying they suffered most from an attack not directed at them.
* Al Qaeda suicide bombers struck again on Nov. 28, 2002, killing 15 people at the Israeli-owned Paradise Hotel resort in Kikambala, near Mombasa on Kenya's coast. At almost the same time, attackers tried to shoot down an Israeli jetliner as it left Mombasa airport, but both missiles missed their target.
* After these attacks, the United States issued travel warnings to its citizens, saying Kenya was at risk from extremist attacks. The attacks hurt the tourist sector, a key foreign exchange earner, but it bounced back, bringing in $980 million in 2007.
* In the aftermath of the Paradise Hotel blast, Kenyan security services were accused of heavy-handed tactics and of rounding up Muslims indiscriminately. Rights groups accused the government of letting U.S. and Israeli officers torture suspects. The government denied this.
* Washington sees Kenya as a strong counter-terrorism ally in east Africa. It is at risk because of the lawless vacuum in neighbouring Somalia and the ease with which its borders can be crossed.
* Between 7 and 15 percent of Kenya's 35 million people are Muslims. They have little electoral influence in Kenyan politics, but usually vote in a bloc. - For a link to the main story, please click [nL7107743] (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://africa.reuters.com/)