Kenyan officials urge caution after latest grenade attack

Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Kenyan officials called for extra-caution on Sunday after a grenade attack in a city church killed one and wounded 15 others in the second such attack to target worshippers.

Police searched the scene of the attack, about one kilometre outside downtown Nairobi, the nation's capital, where worshippers were ambushed as they prepared to end the early morning prayers.

Kenyan Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, who visited the church after the attack, said it was “unacceptable” for extremist or domestic terrorist groups to target worship centres.

“Whoever is involved in this should know that this is unacceptable,” said the Vice President, flanked by top security officials.

Worshippers at The God’s House of Miracles International in Ngara, the closest business and residential neighborhood to downtown Nairobi, said they identified the man who hurled the grenade and attempted to arrest him.

Police confirmed the explosive was a grenade, saying the lone attacker outsmarted the pursuers by drawing a gun before escaping into an alley, crowded with stalls, mostly used by traders of second-hand clothes and artisans.

Steve Mulinge, the church pianist, said there was overall confusion when the grenade was thrown at the church. He said the attacker hurled the grenade and he initially thought it was a stone before it went off, causing confusion.

Police wing’s investigating department head Ndegwa Muhuro said it was still too early to blame the Somali militant group Al Shabaab for the attack.

“It is still too early to say who was involved. We ask Kenyans to exercise extra caution,” Muhoro said.

Internal Security Minister George Saitoti said the Police were investigating the source of the grenades.
-0- PANA AO/SEG 29April2012