Eastleigh blast victim dies

By Cyrus Ombati

NAIROBI; KENYAOne of the victims of the Wednesday night blast in Eastleigh, Nairobi has succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment.

Police said Peter Kyalo, a casual worker died hours after he was rushed to hospital while six others who were all pedestrians were treated and discharged.

One victim is still admitted in hospital with serious but stable injuries.

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

Police and witnesses said the explosion, which went off at about 7 pm on Wednesday is believed to have been abandoned or planted on the road.

Bomb experts are expected at 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.

The blast seemed to have been set off from a distance or one of the victims stepped on it before it went off hitting the pedestrians, police said.

Ombati said they are interested to know how and why three blasts have occurred in the same area in the past month.

“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 it was an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

The explosion caused a crater where it went off.