Terror attack disrupts the Zanzibar festival ahead of Lupita's arrival

Security has been beefed in Zanzibar — where the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) is taking place — after one person died and a few injured following a bomb attack on Friday.

The terror attack at the otherwise peaceful Island took place as international filmmakers started arriving for the one week festival.

According to police, the attack was executed by suspects who hauled the hand grenade from a moving private car.

The festival kicked off on Saturday with top film stars among them Kenyan Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o expected to feature.

“We are still undertaking investigations on the incidence. We are also trying to find out the motive behind the act,” said deputy police commissioner Yusuf Ilombo.

The terror scare is a shock to many as Zanzibar is known to be one of the crime free Islands in Africa and now, some of the visitors who were expected to attend the fete could be pulling out following the security scare.

A number of Kenyan film makers are already are in Zanzibar exhibiting their art work along other international film makers with 79 films ready for filming.

The stars behind the Mandela based A Long Walk to Freedom are among the visitors.

Kenya’s Sauti Sol, Habib Koite from Mali, Didier Award from Senegal and Mzungu Kichaa from Tanzania are among the entertainers lined to perform at the festival.