Third bomb found in IDP camp sparks fear

Security has been beefed up at a camp hosting internally displaced persons in Nakuru County after another bomb was discovered in the area.
On Monday two other bombs were detonated by experts at the same place.

On Tuesday, the 70 families living at San Marco camp in Sumek location, Rongai district contemplated moving out in search of a safe place to live in.

“When the government brought us here, we thought we were safe, but it appears it is more dangerous than the post-election violence,” a woman at the camp said.

“When the first two bombs were detonated, we thought that was just a bad omen, but when the third bomb was discovered yesterday morning, the camp was thrown into total confusion. We fear more bombs may be planted in our farms,” camp spokesman Francis Thuo Kanyuha said.

He said the third bomb was discovered 20 metres from where the first two bombs were found in a five-acre piece of land set aside for public utilities.

“Although police responded immediately after the first the bombs were found, we now urge them to carry out a thorough investigation in this area including a door-to-door search,” a woman at the camp said.

According to the local DC, Mr Jackson ole Chuta, the bomb was discovered by a woman who was heading to her farm after she nearly stumbled on the metallic object.
The woman informed the camp spokesman who called the police.

“This woman is very lucky because this third explosive was very strong and could have killed her if she had stepped on it,” Mr Chuta said.

On Tuesday, some of the IDPs said they were unable to plough their land as tractor owners had shunned the area fearing more explosives might be planted there.

Local police boss Joseph Mwamburi confirmed that the bombs were powerful and could destroy the tractors.

“You have just heard how it shook the ground after it was detonated. This means it is a powerful explosive, which can kill many people,” Mr Mwamburi said.

He described them as home made bombs even as the residents asked the government to beef up security at the camp.

The DC said police were still gathering information to establish the motive behind planting of the bombs.

“We don’t know the motive so far, but if it was to kill, the culprit would have planted the explosive on the road leading to the camp or in one of the farms belonging to the IDPs,” Mr Chuta said.

Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre project officer Keffa Magenyi urged the government to treat the matter seriously.

“This is a serious issue and the government should launch thorough investigations before lives are lost,” Mr Magenyi said.