Labourer injured in city blast dies

By CYRUS OMBATI

One of the victims of the Wednesday night blast in Eastleigh in Nairobi has succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.

Police said Peter Kyalo, a casual worker, died hours after he was rushed to hospital. Six other victims, all pedestrians, were treated and discharged. One victim is, however, still in hospital with serious injuries.

The explosion happened in Joska area a few metres from where another blast occurred on November 16 outside a supermarket.

Police and witnesses said the explosion, which went off at about 7pm, is believed to have been abandoned or planted on the road. Bomb experts visited the scene on Thursday morning for further analysis.

Nairobi Area police boss Moses Ombati said the blast was caused by a bomb. “No arrest has been made so far but we have confirmed it is an improvised bomb,” he said.

Ombati said they are investigating the probability that the three blasts in Eastleigh were planned by the same person as they had happened in the same area.

“It seems this is the work of one person because the concentration has been there for long. We will know,” said Ombati.

Bomb experts, who arrived at the scene, said the blast was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device.

The explosion caused a crater where it went off and police had a difficult time controlling a crowd that gathered there.