Blast in Kenyan capital wounds at least 28

An explosion ripped through a building full of small shops in the centre of Kenyan capital Nairobi yesterday, wounding at least 28 people.

The blast immediately conjured fears that al-Shabab – Islamist militants from Somalia – had carried out an attack.

Police officials indicated the blast was not a deliberate bombing, given a lack of shrapnel, but some sort of electrical accident. The prime minister, however, appeared to blame terrorism.

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“This is a heinous act,” premier Raila Odinga said as he visited the scene. “They want to scare us but we will not be scared.”

The explosion sent dark smoke billowing out of the one-storey building on an avenue named after Kenya’s second president.

The blast peeled back the corner of the building’s aluminium roof and sent goods for sale in the shops, such as shoes and clothes, scattered across the ground.

People with bloody wounds received medical care on the street as authorities tried to usher hundreds of people away from the scene. A hospital official said at least 28 people were wounded, including four with serious injuries such as burns, fractures and deep lacerations.

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None of the victims had shrapnel in them, said Thomas Mutie, the acting chief executive at Kenyatta National Hospital.

The prime minister, though, gave an impassioned speech at the scene, telling Kenyans to support their security forces.

Mr Odinga said security would be improved, and made a reference to Somali militants. “They want to scare investors. They want to scare tourists,” said Mr Odinga, who is expected to run for president in Kenya’s election next year. “We condemn the terrorists and tell them their days are numbered.”

A witness wounded in the blast said the explosion occurred soon after a bearded man left a bag near her stall.

Irene Wachira described the man as “Arabic-looking” because of his relatively light skin. A doctor said another casualty reported that a Somali-looking man left behind the bag.

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