Kenya blames Al-Shabaab for blasts

Written By:KBC reporters/Agencies,    Posted: Sun, Apr 01, 2012

Hospital staff attend to one of the blast victims (Photo/Reuters) Internal Security Minister Prof George Saitoti has blamed the Islamist Al Shabaab militia for the Saturday evening twin blasts in Mtwapa and Tononoka. Pro Saitoti who was joined by a high powered cabinet delegation and coastal leaders condemned the bombings that left one person dead and scores injured, stating that his ministry was equal to the task of ensuring peace and security is upheld in the country. He was accompanied by Prime Ministes Raila Odinga, ministers Dan Mwazo (tourism), Amason Kingi (Fisheries), Esther Murugi (Special Programmes) and several MPs who visited the blast scenes and victims at the Coast General hospital.  Saitoti said initial investigations had shown that a hand grenade was used in the attack and labeled the individuals who carried out the bombings as enemies of the state. The minister however described the two attacks as cowardly and assured that police were tracking down the attackers. "We will not tire of hunting for these people (al Shabaab) until we finish them. They have ruined their country and now they have come here to ruin Kenya's economy," Internal Security Minister George Saitoti told reporters while visiting the scenes of the explosions. He maintained that the government will continue fighting the militia group until the country is a safe. The minister urged members of the public to be vigilant and help security agencies in reporting suspicious characters to them. But Al Shabaab issued a statement that also fell short of claiming responsibility for the attacks, saying that Kenya's security depended on its military activities in Somalia. Detectives from the Anti-Terror Police Unit in Mombasa said they have collected samples that would unravel the origin of the grenades and their sizes. One person died and 30 others injured in the attack on worshipers at Mtwapa and another on an entertainment joint next to the Mombasa Municipal stadium. 23 of those injured were treated and discharged while 11 others are still admitted to the Coast Provincial general hospital.   Security has been beefed up on key installations within the coastal town. The incident comes barely three weeks after another grenade attack on a Nairobi bus station killed at least six people and wounded 63. Saturday's blasts were the first to target Mombasa, one of Kenya's top tourist destinations, and were staged just before the busy Easter tourist season in the coming week. Newly appointed tourism minister Dan Mwazo called on tourists to continue visiting the country, terming the recent bombings as isolated incidents that should not deter them from enjoying the country's rich tourist sites. Outlawed Groups Meanwhile, Raila has maintained that the country will not relent on its efforts to fight outlawed groups in the country. The PM expressed concern over the activities of the outlawed Mombasa Republican Council which he noted is a cause of insecurity in the region.  He dismissed MRC  push for secession saying the Coast is part of Kenya. However, the Prime Minister said despite MRC being an enemy of the state, there is still need to hold dialogue with the group before necessary action is taken against them.