By Kiundu Waweru

Prime Minister Raila Odinga visited the site of the blast on Nairobi’s Moi Avenue and categorically stated it was an act of terrorists whom he termed “cowards.”

Raila arrived at about 3.25pm, accompanied by a contingent of bodyguards who were striving to keep away the crowd and the journalists who were scrambling for a good picture.

The PM was led into the Sasa Exhibition in Assanands Building, which took the toll of the blast. Clothes and shoes were strewn all over.

The exhibition is partitioned with metallic rods, painted yellow but after the blast, the rods were bent over and burned. The Assanands Building comprises of only the ground floor and the iron sheet roof had also caved in.

Outside, the security razor wire skirting the building had been ripped off and it dangled helplessly in the afternoon wind, appearing dumbfounded by the tragedy it was so unfit to handle.

“A terrible tragedy has visited our country once again,” said the PM. 

“We are not going to be scared or cowed to surrender,” he added.

Perhaps realising that most businesses had closed shop along Moi Avenue, Kenyatta Avenue, Tom Mboya and Biashara streets, Raila added that the terrorists wanted to scare off investors and tourists. “Kenya won’t be cowed to surrender to cowards. The nature of the attacks is universal and as they have failed elsewhere, they will fail here too,” Raila said.

He also urged the security forces to step up efforts, adding that the Government will use all resources to equip and train the officers.

He was accompanied by Local Government Minister Fred Gumo, the whose predecessor Musalia Mudavadi had also visited the site moments earlier while Raila was addressing journalists.

Witnesses, including The Standard reporter who was at Princely Building near the Assanand Building felt a loud explosion followed by a tremor. “I saw people charred by the fire that followed the explosion. Others had their clothes burnt or torn,” said Mr Sifuna Stephen, a security guard, at K-Rep Bank on Guilders Centre next to Assanands.

Shards of glass and debris had scattered across the street and the crime scene giving investigators a rough time collecting evidence.