Al-Shabaab linked to grenade attack at Nairobi pub, injuring 14

Al-Shabaab linked to grenade attack at Nairobi pub, injuring 14

2011-10-25 01:45:37 GMT+7 (ICT)

NAIROBI, KENYA (BNO NEWS) -- More than a dozen people were injured on early Monday morning when a grenade exploded at a local bar in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, allegedly thrown by the Somali Islamic terrorist group al-Shabaab.

The attack took place at around 2 a.m. local time on Monday when a grenade was thrown at the Mwuara Pub located off Mfangano street in Nairobi. Fourteen people were injured as a result of the explosion and were transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital.

Nairobi Provincial Police chief Antony Kibuchi told Capital FM that authorities have "every reason to believe" that al-Shabaab is responsible for the attack after credible threats from the group. He also urged residents to be extra careful, vigilant and cooperate with security agencies.

Some media outlets initially claimed two people had died during the attack but Kibuchi rejected these reports and said the total number of injured was fourteen. He also said an investigation had already been launched as the damage is being assessed.

According to Nairobi Central divisional police chief Eric Mugambi, a man disguised as a patron knocked the door and hurled a grenade inside when it was opened. He immediately fled the scene.

The explosion broke several windows and threw chairs upside down. Security officials arrived at the scene to find a blood-stained pub and most of the injured suffered wounds to their heads, hands and legs. All but two of those injured were discharged from the hospital within hours.

The attack came just after the U.S. Embassy on Sunday warned of an "imminent threat" of a terrorist attack, possibly targeting foreigners. It also comes just a week after Kenyan security forces crossed into Somalia in search of al-Shabaab fighters.

Al-Shabaab is the militant wing of the Somali Council of Islamic Courts which took over most of southern Somalia in the second half of 2006. Despite efforts from the Somali and Ethiopian governments, the group has continued its violent insurgency in southern and central Somalia.

Somalia has been without an effective government since Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown two decades ago.

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