KENYA: Two explosions hit a Kenyan prayer rally, killing three and wounding dozens

Record ID: 353256

  • Title: KENYA: Two explosions hit a Kenyan prayer rally, killing three and wounding dozens
  • Date: 14th June 2010
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF BLEEDING WOUNDED BEING CARRIED THROUGH CROWD ANOTHER BLEEDING MAN BEING CARRIED THROUGH CROWD
  • Embargoed: 29th June 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA9PLGXSBNTA0P4D9YVMSG0MKO6
  • Story Text: Two blasts at a Kenyan prayer meeting including church leaders and politicians campaigning against a proposed new constitution killed three people and injured at least 75, the prime minister said on Sunday (June 13).
    He said police were investigating the cause of the blasts.
    Kenyans are due to vote on the new constitution in a referendum on Aug. 4.
    Reuters Television footage showed one blast and the crowd running in all directions, screaming for ambulances and praying. Others were seen carrying away the injured. A second blast went off after about 15 minutes.
    Kenyans have been calling for a new constitution since the 1990s to replace one dating back to 1963. Guarantees of a new charter was key to a power-sharing deal in 2008, ending weeks of violence that killed around 1,300 people after a disputed poll.
    East Africa's leading economy is recovering from the effects of post-election violence.
    Analysts have said a widespread culture of impunity in Kenya can only be uprooted through changes to the constitution and reforms to the police, judiciary and election authority.
    But some politicians are backing a 'no' vote in the referendum, angry at the failure to devolve power to the regions and also at plans to cap private land holdings.
    Christian church leaders are also spearheading a 'no' campaign after an amendment to abolish abortion on medical grounds failed, while Islamic courts dealing with divorce and inheritance were left enshrined in the constitution.
    Sunday's blasts come barely three days after U.S. Vice President Joe Biden concluded a visit to Kenya.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register