US bomb experts assist Kenya in blast probe

By Cyrus Ombati

Bomb experts from the US have joined the Kenyan team at Nairobi’s Moi Avenue blast site to assist with investigations.

The two teams combed the scene of the blast on Tuesday morning and sent samples collected to the Kenyan Government Chemist and the US for analysis.

The bomb experts from US used special metal detectors while sifting through the debris as investigations to establish the kind of explosive device used commenced.

The Anti Terrorism Police Unit was also at the site sifting through debris in search for clues.

So far the motive of the attack is not known and no arrest has been made. No group has claimed responsibility of the attack.

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Police said 46 people were injured in the blast with 22 being treated and discharged.

On Tuesday, 23 victims were still undergoing treatment, 12 admitted at Kenyatta National Hospital and 11 at Nairobi Hospital.

Police have called on Kenyans to be cautious.

On Monday afternoon, a blast rocked Sasa Boutique located within Assanand’s House on Nairobi's  Moi Avenue.

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

“A light skinned man walked in and out of the building after placing a bag which later exploded,” said the woman.

The woman, identified as Irene Wachira, who spoke to Associated Press from a Nairobi hospital bed said a man came to the stall twice and acted as if he was interested in buying something, but returned a third time with the bag.

At first, the police appeared reluctant to admit it was a terror attack with Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere declaring that the blast came from an ‘electrical fault’, despite the fact that the explosion was heard far and wide, and shattered the windows of adjacent buildings and concrete walls.

It was only when Kenya Power Company said there were no transformers in the building that could have exploded, that Iteere confirmed Kenya’s worst fears that the blast could have come from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

Leaders, including Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi visited the scene on Monday and condemned the attack.