Post date: Nov 19, 2012 1:33:20 PM
A group of Kenyans throw stones and loot shops of ethnic Somalis in Nairobi's Somali-dominated Eastleigh neighbourhood in protest against a bomb attack in the district yesterday.
NAIROBI, KENYA (NOVEMBER 19, 2012) (REUTERS) - Police fired tear gas to disperse Kenyans who threw stones and broke into the homes and shops of ethnic Somalis in Nairobi's Somali-dominated Eastleighneighbourhood on Monday (November 19) to protest against a bomb attack in the district yesterday.
Many Kenyans blamed Somalis for the blast. Police said on Monday that at least nine people were killed on Sunday (November 18) when a bomb tore through a minibus in the Nairobi district often referred to as "Little Mogadishu"."These Somalis are getting used to us. They're too comfortable here, every week they attack us and throw grenades at us. Right now they are attacking us using machetes and the government is really not helping us," said Eastleigh resident, Evains Maina.
Kenya has suffered a string of deadly attacks, mostly blamed on Somali militants and their sympathisers in retaliation for Kenya's deployment of troops in neighbouringSomalia last year to drive out al Shabaab rebels, who vowed to retaliate. Kenya has since suffered numerous gun and grenade raids.
In Eastleigh, a large group gathered in the streets chanting "Somalis must go!"
"We want peace here. It looks like Eastleigh has become a small Somalia and we want the government to come out and explain whether they sold this country to the Somalis or is it still ours," said Eric Njoka, another Eastleigh resident.
Streets in Eastleigh, a busy residential and business area, were strewn with rocks and shattered glass.
Crowds stood on rooftops and the streets, while some ethnic Somalis gestured for assistance through their windows.
Pockets of Kenyans lobbed rocks at Somali premises in sporadic attacks, but fled when police fired teargas at them.
Police were not immediately available to comment.