Written by Isura Christoper 2012-05-28 16:32:00 Read 936 Times

The Adminstration police at the scene of the blast at the Assanands House along Moi Avenue Street. Photo | Isura Christopher 

At least 28 people have been injured from an explosion that rocked Assanands House next to Mt Kenya University Campus along Nairobi's Moi Avenue Street and are currently receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital.

Subsequently, communication from the police Spokesman Eric Kiraithe said 33 people were injured and were receiving treatment in various hospitals.

, “Initial investigations have established that 33 persons were injured and rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital, The Nairobi Hospital and Agha Khan Hospital. Five are reported to be in serious condition. Assanands building which was housing an exhibition was extensively damaged and property of unknown value was destroyed. Neighboring buildings were slightly by damaged by the blast.”

Kiraith further disclosed that the intial cause was not yet established but they had launched investigations to find out the probable cause saying, “…the possibility that the blast was caused by criminals using an improvised explosive device. Initial examination of the scene indicates that the possibility of a conventional bomb is remote.”

He added that, “A police team comprising of the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit, the Criminal Investigations Department and Nairobi are command are on the ground carrying out investigations.”

Speaking to the press during a visit to the scene assistant Minister for Internal security Orwa Ojode said that investigations are on going to determine the cause of the explosion assuring Kenyans of their security saying that the country is safe.

Earlier, Police commissioner Mathew Iteere ruled out the possibility of the explosion being a bomb attack saying that it the explosion was due to an electric fault.

However, officials from the Kenya Power refuted the claims saying, “It is therefore not possible that the explosion was caused by an electricity fault.”

A statement from the Kenya Power read, “The affected building has no ground mounted transformer inside it or outside that would explode. The team found all the electrical connections to the building including the cutouts (fuses) on the Kenya Power side that would otherwise blow in the event of a short circuit inside the building intact. On the Kenya Power network that supplies the general area, no protective devices operated. Protective devices would switch off power network to prevent a fault in premises, such as the affected building from coming back into the rest of the network.”

The public has further been assured of through investigation in to the incident with them being told to avoid speculation on the incident.

“The Commissioner of Police would wish to assure the public that this incident will be thoroughly investigated and measures stepped up to ensure that such an explosion does not recur in future. The Commissioner of Police is also appealing to the public to avoid speculation on the motive behind it. Any person with information which can assist in the investigations of this case is requested to provide the same to nearest police officer,” read part of the statement from Eric Kiraithe. 

Prime Minister Raila Odinga who has also visited the scene of the incident described it to be unfortunate saying that with the new initiative of installation of CCTV camera along the streets of the city security will be enhanced.

 Raila has revealed that the governments will use all its resources in training of its security agencies so as to enhance security in the country.

The premier urged the police to direct all their efforts towards terror sighting that the days of the terrorists are numbered and Kenyans will emerge victorious.

Deputy Premier Musalia Mudavadi who visited the scene too explained that it is the responsibility of all Kenyans to be vigilant and work together with the police so as security in the country could be paramount.

Blast area has been condoned off by police.

Switch to Our Mobile Site