Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has termed Tuesday's attack in Dusit Hotel complex as 'act of cowardice', adding that security forces will not succumb to 'criminal elements'.
For the better part of Tuesday evening, security forces were engaged in volatile evacuation process with the number of casualties remaining a top government secret.
Even without responding questions from the press, Matiang'i said: "We have secured the entire building and our forces are in the process of documenting the incident for government records. They are in the final stages."
Armed gunmen descended in the building that hosts among others, Dusit Hotel and I$M Bank, shooting randomly as desperate victims scampered for their safety. Witnesses said that at least five people died on the spot.
And Dr Matiang'i, who addressed a press conference about six hours into the attack, insisted that the country will not give up in it's effort to flush out criminal gangs and terrorist groups.
"We are not going to surrender. The government will ensure these terrorists are completely defeated. That is the spirit. The response from our security forces was swift and we are happy they saved lives of many people."
Middle East based TV Al Jazeera reported that Somali based militants Al Shabaab had claimed responsibility even though the government is yet to give it's official stand.
Coincidentally, the attack came just hours to the commemoration of El Adde attack in which Kenya Defense Forces lost at least 200 soldiers, the worst casualty to ever be inflicted to the security agencies.
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