Three killed in twin explosions in Kenya

Nairobi, May 4 (IANS) At least three people were killed and several others injured in twin explosions Saturday evening in Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa, police said.

The explosions occurred simultaneously, one near the Reef Hotel reception while another at Mwembe Tayari in Mombasa town, Xinhua quoted Mombasa county police chief Robert Kitur as saying.

"We can confirm three deaths and some injuries. We are yet to establish the motive behind two explosions," Kitur said.

Witnesses said a bag was found outside Reef Hotel and the security guard was taking it inside when it exploded in the reception area. There was no casualty.

Kenya's interior ministry said that what was discovered at Reef Hotel gate was an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The hoteliers at the coast said all the guests and staff at the hotel are safe.

Kitur said another bomb explosion ripped off a bus that had just arrived at the Mwembe Tayari stage from Nairobi, leaving three people dead and several others injured.

"The blast shattered the windows of the bus," he said. Passengers were reportedly boarding the bus during the Saturday evening attack.

Since Kenya sent troops across the border into Somalia in October 2011, northern, eastern and parts of Nairobi and Mombasa have been hit by a series of blasts, many targeting local security forces and humanitarian workers.

Several attacks believed to have been carried out by Al-Shabaab have occurred in Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa and Dadaab districts of northern Kenya even as the military reports gains against the Islamist group by capturing their military bases and killing scores of them.