Washington, Sep 22 (IANS): The US government Saturday condemned the terrorist attack on a shopping mall in Nairobi while offering its condolences to Kenyans over the death of 39 people in the incident.

In a statement, the White House said, the US condemned the attack at an upscale shopping mall in Nairobi.

"The United States condemns in the strongest terms the despicable terrorist attack on innocent civilians today at the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi, Kenya," reported Xinhua citing White House National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden in a statement.

"The perpetrators of this heinous act must be brought to justice, and we have offered our full support to the Kenyan Government to do so," said Hayden, adding that Washington would continue to confront terrorism in all its forms, including "the threat posed by al-Shabaab".

Hayden also said the US offered "deepest condolences" to the victims' families and loved ones, including the injured American citizens, and commended "the courageous response" by Kenyan security personnel and first responders.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta earlier confirmed that at least 39 people died and over 150 injured in the mall attack, including some very close members of his own family.

Somalia's militant group al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack.