Kenya blames al Shabaab rebels for grenade attack
Source: Agencies |
March 12, 2012, Monday
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KENYA blamed Somali al Shabaab rebels yesterday for grenade attacks that killed at least six people and wounded scores at a bus station near the heart of the capital, Nairobi, a day earlier.
Internal Security Minister George Saitoti said four grenades were hurled into the Machakos bus station at 7:30pm on Saturday from a passing vehicle, killing one person while five more died later from their injuries.
"Of course, the initial suspicion is that of al Shabaab," he told a news conference. "It will be recalled that there have been similar incidents previously and the government has been able to successfully apprehend those responsible."
Al Shabaab, which formally merged with al-Qaida this year, said it was at war with Kenya, but did not take responsibility for the Nairobi blasts.
"There is no peace between al Shabaab and Kenya. It is incumbent on Kenya officials to answer who was behind the bus station blast in Nairobi last night," Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, spokesman for al Shabaab's military operation, said.
Kenya sent troops into Somalia in October in a bid to crush the Islamist rebels, following a series of cross-border raids and kidnappings on Kenyan soil, which threatened its tourism business. Kenya blamed al Shabaab for the seizures, though the group denied responsibility.
The latest Nairobi blasts were similar to two strikes at a nearby bus station and a bar that killed one person and wounded over 20 in October.
Internal Security Minister George Saitoti said four grenades were hurled into the Machakos bus station at 7:30pm on Saturday from a passing vehicle, killing one person while five more died later from their injuries.
"Of course, the initial suspicion is that of al Shabaab," he told a news conference. "It will be recalled that there have been similar incidents previously and the government has been able to successfully apprehend those responsible."
Al Shabaab, which formally merged with al-Qaida this year, said it was at war with Kenya, but did not take responsibility for the Nairobi blasts.
"There is no peace between al Shabaab and Kenya. It is incumbent on Kenya officials to answer who was behind the bus station blast in Nairobi last night," Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, spokesman for al Shabaab's military operation, said.
Kenya sent troops into Somalia in October in a bid to crush the Islamist rebels, following a series of cross-border raids and kidnappings on Kenyan soil, which threatened its tourism business. Kenya blamed al Shabaab for the seizures, though the group denied responsibility.
The latest Nairobi blasts were similar to two strikes at a nearby bus station and a bar that killed one person and wounded over 20 in October.
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