Four killed in matatu blast

At least four people were killed and over 30 injured when an explosive device placed in a matatu went off near Pangani Girls School in Nairobi.

The Number 6 matatu that plies the Eastleigh route was headed to the city centre at about 6pm when the suspected terrorist attack occurred.

Interior Principal Secretary Mutea Iringo confirmed that four people died from the attack on Saturday evening . However, there were unconfirmed reports that three more people died at Guru Nanak hospital while undergoing treatment.

“I am certain that four people have died. However, we do not have the exact figures of those injured until we ascertain the numbers from hospitals where they were taken,” said Mr Iringo.

The explosion blew off part of the matatu. At least six vehicles nearby also appeared to have been affected by the blast, which was heard more than 10km from the scene. One of those killed was in a saloon car which was behind the matatu.

 Nairobi police commander Benson Kibui said preliminary investigation showed the device was an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

He said: “The indications are that this was a very powerful IED. It was either planted there or somebody inside the matatu was carrying it and died along with the other passengers. We are yet to find out that,” he said, giving the possibility of a suicide attack.

Ms Florence Ngina, who was among the first to rush to the scene, said she counted at least 10 bodies.

Those who reached the scene first described it as chaotic as police and well-wishers stopped vehicles to ferry the injured to hospital.

The Kenya Red Cross confirmed that 15 people were injured in the incident and had been transferred to Kenyatta, Agha Khan and Guru Nanak hospitals for specialised treatment.

Sunday Nation established that at least 20 people were admitted to Guru Nanak hospital with others taken to Kenyatta National Hospital.

An attendant at the City Mortuary confirmed two bodies had been received at the facility while three others were at the Guru Nanak hospital.

 The suspected terror attack comes less than three months after the deadly Westgate mall siege on September 21 that left 67 people dead. And on Thursday, there was a botched grenade attack in Likoni, Mombasa County, targeted at two British tourists. On Friday, there was a double blast in Wajir, which killed one person.

At Kenyatta National Hospital, survivors of the grenade attack received treatment for leg and head injuries. Medics at the hospital said eight of the survivors had serious injuries while two sustained slight injuries.

Concerned friends and relatives camped at the hospital to get update on state of their loves ones.

Last evening security agencies sealed off part of the busy Juja Road, where the explosion occurred, as bomb experts and scene of crime analysts moved in to examine the debris. General Service Unit, Military Police and anti-terror officers were at the scene.