Kenya Suicide Bomber's Explosives Go Off before Reaching Target

A suspected suicide bomber in Kenya died when his explosives blew up before he reached his apparent target, wounding three passers by, police said Sunday.

The incident occurred in the northeastern town of Wajir late Saturday.

"It looks like he was heading to attack a place but the explosive went off before he could reach his destination," a police source said on condition of anonymity, without disclosing the possible target.

He said three people nearby were wounded in the blast in the town, which has a large Somali population.

Regional police chief Charlton Mureithi confirmed the incident without giving further details.

Attacks have increased in Kenya since Nairobi sent soldiers into Somalia to fight al-Qaida-linked Shebab insurgents in late 2011.

The violence has been blamed on the insurgents or their Kenyan supporters, who have vowed revenge.

The Shebab still control large parts of southern Somalia, despite African Union troops, allied Somali forces and Ethiopian soldiers having wrested control of several key towns.