An explosion struck [1] one of Nairobi's major roads, Moi Avenue, in Kenya's capital Monday afternoon. Initial investigations suggest that the blast resulted from electric fault in the area. Kenya's Police Commissioner has refuted rumors of bomb attacks linked to Al-Shabaab.
Kenya has been hit with a series of bomb and grenade attacks [2] in Kenya since the country's military incursion into Somalia against Al Shabaab dubbed “Operation Linda Nchi” (Swahili for “Operation Defend the Country”).
On Twitter, netizens use the hashtaga #NairobiBlast [3] and #MoiAvenueBlast [4] to discuss the tragedy and share information.
The scene of the blast in Nairobi. Photo shared on Twitpic by @JoeWMuchiri.
Please stay away:
@__RamzZy__ [5]: Unless you're the press, If you've no business near the scene stay away. Let the Police & Rescue teams do their work. #MoiAvenueBlast
@cobbo3 [6]: Dangerous for pple to gather on Moi & Kimathi St after #MoiAvenueBlast. If terror bomb, usuallly a 2nd bomb is nearby to hit crowds.
Media responsibility:
@jaydab [7]: @mckenziecnn,we r waiting to see n hear what ul say about #nairobiblast. report as it is and dont exaggerate.
@CyrusNjoroge [8]: When social media landed in town,we all became ‘experts’.We never wait for facts. #Nairobiblast
@saddiqueshaban [9]: I sincerely hope @MediaCouncilK is keenly watching the conduct of media houses as they report on the #nairobiblast. Resposibility a must
@Kevin2Tek [10]: #NairobiBlast now trending globally.Please watch what you tweet,dont spread panic or pander lies!
What caused the blast?:
@iAMneshynsky [11]: people should stop jumping into conclusion and say its an al shabaab atack..it could be anything at this point #NairobiBlast
@careywinnie [12]: oh God,i hope my movie stalls friends are ok and everyone else!! #NairobiBlast #moiavenue wtf happened?
@jowac50 [13]: RT #NairobiBlast Police boss Mathew Iteere says explosion caused by electrical fault – Reports
@Fionaakumu [14]: The words “blasts” and “explosions” need to be re-examined. Since when did they become synonymous to each other? #MoiAvenueBlast
Government irresponsibility:
@tonybkaranja [15]: We really need a disaster management plan that's not just on paper #nairobiblast
@MisterAlbie [16]: Again our lack of proper disaster awareness and preparedness bites us in our behinds. #Firehydrants etc #MoiAvenueBlast
@TeamKonshens1 [17]: Just shows how incompetent our Emergency response teams are!! Looks like a movie on live TV! #NairobiBlast
@iCabway [18]: #MoiAvenueBlast reminds us why fire hydrant installation MUST be enforced in this troubled age. African cities are hopeless in that regard.
Looting amidst tragedy:
@iAMneshynsky [19]: Looters doing what they know best on moi avenue #NairobiBlast
@rmunene [20]: Kenyans “siphoning” shoes and clothes from the stalls at the scene of the blast. #nairobiBlast #KTNLiveStream
Police inefficiency:
@ArybaStacks [21]: I don't know why police are still allowing people along the whole Moi Av. stretch… What if there is a second blast? #MoiAvenueBlast
@Mwanikih [22]: Cops making a bad situation worse by forcefully trying to evacuate the crowds. Now guys are shouting “Mlikua wapi?” [where were you?] #NairobiBlast
Kenyan police say [23] 27 people who were injured in the blast were undergoing treatment.