Blast near Kenyan university injures 30

THIKA, Kenya, May 28 (UPI) -- Police were investigating the cause of a storefront explosion next to Mount Kenya University Towers that injured 30 people Monday in Thika, officials said.

The building caught fire immediately after the explosion, but firefighters extinguished the blaze that burned through the building's roof, the Kenya Broadcasting Corp. reported.

Some witnesses said they saw two men, possibly of Somali origin, toss an object inside the building just before the explosion. The witnesses said bystanders detained one of the men and held him until police arrived and arrested him.

Internal Security Assistant Minister Orwa Ojode warned against speculation on the blast's cause while reiterating the country is safe, The Daily Nation reported.

"We will make sure all residents in Kenya are safe," he said.

Several officials said the explosion could have been caused by an electrical failure, but firefighters at the scene discovered a 2-foot crater at the floor of the building, the Nation said.

Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere said police haven't found evidence indicating a grenade attack, NTV reported.

Internal Security Assistant Minister Orwa Ojode later said: "Police are investigating the possibilities of a grenade attack."