7 people have been confirmed dead in an explosion in Kismayu of Jubbaland that has been claimed by the terrorist group Alshabaab. The attack carried out from a car at the Cascasey Hotel of the regional capital Kismayu is the first attack by the terrorist group who have been behind bombings in Somalia’s Capital Mogadishu. Elders and politicians have been meeting at the Hotel over the upcoming general election. Among the dead is prominent TV presenter Hodan Naleye who was said to be 5 month pregnant with her 3rd baby. Her husband, a former Jubbaland CEC is missing and his whereabout is yet to be confirmed. He is feared to have been killed too. Hodan has been the founder and presenter of Integrated TV and has been in the Horn the last few months. She was working on her community-based production showcasing the beauty of Somalia. One of her latest photos dubbed ”take a walk in Paradise” is shown below.

The President who visited the injured at the hospital condemned the attack and vowed to go after the attackers. ”We will go after the perpetrators and anyone who may have assisted them in their vile action” said Ahmed Islam.
Mr Dayib Mohamed Abdi said 7 people were confirmed dead and taken to Kismayu Hospital. According to Mr Mohamed Omar Gedi, former assistant minister of the Federal Government of Somalia who was rescued by Jubbaland’s security and Amisom forces said they heard an explosion and gun shots before they were rescued from the chaos.