12 killed in Kenya guest house bomb attack

At least twelve people have been killed in Northeastern Kenya after attackers blew up part of a hotel in a raid claimed by al shabaab militants from neighbouring Somalia.

According to al shabaab commanders, the group was targeting non-muslims in Kenya’s Mandera area which has been the scene of numerous assaults by the fighters.

Many of those who survived the incident consider the ability to escape the attack as a miracle.

“I can just say that I am very lucky. But thanks be to God, I am alive. It is by the Grace of God that I am now able to breathe and talk. I suffer from minor injuries. I was shot at three times, then a few stones fell on me. By the grace of God, I shouted and police officers came to my rescue,” one of the survivors said.

Al shabaab has been seeking to overthrow Somalia’s western backed government, while punishing Kenya for sending its soldiers to oppose it. “Through this attack, al Shabaab is trying to make it look like they are targeting non-locals. This attack is directly on the hearts, souls and the lives of the population of northern frontier counties,” Governor of the Mandera county, Ali Roba said.

Al Shabaab’s spokesman for military operation, Abdiasis Abu Musab, claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the gunmen had targeted non-Muslims and killed 15 people.