While the group seems to have been interested in an alliance before then , in 2010 , bin Laden instructed the group 's leaders to keep their association with al-Qaeda a secret , fearing that openly linking the groups would be bad for Al-Shabaab 's fundraising efforts . For Al - Shabaab , the mall was an attractive target because Westerners frequented it . Also , it fits with the Somalia - based terrorist group 's enmity with Kenya . The group has recruited around 100 American fighters and also fighters from Kenya . The attack on the shopping mall may be an attempt by Al - Shabaab to signal its continued relevance .
For Al - Shabaab , the mall was an attractive target because Westerners frequented it . Also , it fits with the Somalia - based terrorist group 's enmity with Kenya . The group has recruited around 100 American fighters and also fighters from Kenya . The attack on the shopping mall may be an attempt by Al - Shabaab to signal its continued relevance .