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In Wake Of Blasts, Kenyatta Asks World To Unite Against Terror

In Wake Of Blasts, Kenyatta Asks World To Unite Against Terror

Ten people died and at least 70 were injured in two explosions at the Gikomba market area of Nairobi, BBCNews reports.

Friday’s bombings took place two days after the U.K., France and the U.S. warned there was a high threat of attacks in Kenya. Kenya had rebuked the countries for issuing those warnings, saying its tourism industry would suffer, BBC reports.

Robyn Kriel, eNCA East Africa Bureau Chief, was at the scene of the blasts and shot photos in the aftermath showing locals in shock, clothing blown onto power lines and British tourists departing Kenya, suitcases in tow.

Clothes in power lines Nairobi market blast
Photo: Robyn Kriel, eNCA East Africa Bureau Chief

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta vowed to fight what he described as the evil of terrorism following the attacks.

“All of us around the world must be united to ensure that we are able to fight this particular terror,” he said at a news conference.

The blasts are the latest in a spate of almost 100 terrorist attacks in Kenya since 2012. Most have been blamed on the al-Shabab militant Islamist group from neighboring Somalia.

“Police tell us members of the public identified one suspect,” Kriel said on Twitter.

Hundreds of British tourists were evacuated from the coastal resort area of Mombasa amid warnings of an attack and British tour companies suspended flights to Mombasa, Kenya’s second-largest city, BBC reports.

Mombasa is about a six-hour drive from Nairobi where the blasts occurred.

In a recent video, al-Shabab leader leader Mukhtar “Godane” Abu Zubayr warned of another Westgate-style attack being imminent if Kenya doesn’t withdraw its troops from Somalia, eNCA reported Thursday.

“Usually when he speaks attacks follow,” Kriel said on Twitter.

The first explosion occurred in a minibus used as transportation, and the second in the large open-air Gikomba market, according to the Kenyan National Disaster Operation Center, BBC reports.

The Red Cross was at the scene tending the injured. Hospital sources told BBC at least 70 people had been injured.

Kevin Mwanza, a Nairobi-based editor for AFKInsider, said the terror attacks may cause some people to fear going to public places or using public transportation, but in the long run, they won’t stop anything.

“No visiting malls, using public buses, and now no going to open markets,” he said Friday. “Actually it doesn’t stop anything. Those who die, die, and those who live continue on with their lives.”

Earlier this week, authorities tightened security at bus stations, requiring all passengers to be screened before boarding. They also ordered all vehicles to have clear glass windows, according to BBC.

Kenyans are expressing their frustration at the country’s deteriorating security, BBC reports.

Photo: Robyn Kriel, eNCA East Africa Bureau Chief
Photo: Robyn Kriel, eNCA East Africa Bureau Chief

The government recently round up all refugees of Somali origin in an attempt to rid the city of terror suspects they believe are hiding among refugees.

The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab has launched a series of attacks against Kenyan targets in recent years, claiming to be retaliating for Kenya’s military involvement in Somalia since 2011.

In September, at least 67 people were killed when al-Shabab attacked the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi.

There were riots in Mombasa earlier this year after a radical Muslim cleric suspected of recruiting youth for al-Shabab was shot dead, BBC reports.