Kenya diplomat: Briton killed, wife kidnapped
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - September 11, 2011
Britain's Foreign Office confirmed that two British citizens
were attacked near Kenya's border with Somalia and that one was
killed, but declined to comment further.
The diplomat said attackers broke into their accommodation
overnight on Saturday at the Kiwayu Safari Village resort about 30
miles (about 50 kilometers) north of the island resort of Lamu. He
declined to give further details.
He spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized
to speak to the press.
Kenyan police spokesman Eric Kiraithe declined to give details
but said Kenyan police have launched a search and rescue operation.
There was no answer from the resort, which consists of 18 luxury
cottages spread along a private beach.
It was unclear if the attackers came from neighboring Somalia,
where pirates often prey on foreigners and an al-Qaida-linked
insurgent group called al-Shabab holds much of the south, or if
they were Kenyans.
A statement posted on the Foreign Office travel advice website
said: "We continue to advise against all but essential travel to
within 30 kilometers of Kenya's border with Somalia. There have
been previous attacks by Somali militia into Kenya. Three aid
workers were kidnapped in July 2009, and two western nuns in
November 2008."
Attacks on tourists are unusual in Kenya, which is popular for
its safari vacations and pristine beaches.