Kenya police hunt killers after Briton murdered and wife abducted

Foriegn Office confirms British couple were attacked in luxury resort on border with Somalia A British man has been murdered and his wife kidnapped after armed men attacked the luxury Kenyan beach resort where they were on holiday. The Foreign Office said the two Britons were targeted on Sunday at a resort north of Lamu, near the border between Kenya and Somalia . “One was killed and another kidnapped,” said an FCO spokeswoman, adding that consular assistance was being provided. Kenyan police declined to give details but said they had launched a search-and-rescue operation to find the missing woman. Although the FCO would not name the resort, reports suggest it is the Kiwayu Safari Village , which consists of 18 luxury cottages spread along a private beach some 30 miles from Lamu. No one from the resort answered phone calls on Sunday afternoon and its website seemed to be having techinical difficulties. On its website, the resort says it takes guests’ safety very seriously. “We have a number of systems and measures in place which are designed to give you maximum security and safety without detracting from the special ambiance [sic] of this site or the area,” it says. “We have our own organic security protocols as well as a professional security structure which provides us with overarching security and safety 24 hours a day … We regularly review our security and safety to ensure it is both comprehensive and current.” Attacks on tourists are unusual in Kenya, which is popular for its safaris and pristine beaches. It is unclear if the attackers came from neighbouring Somalia – where pirates often prey on foreigners – or if they were Kenyans. Advice posted on the FCO website advises travellers against going within 30 miles of the Kenya-Somalia border. It says: “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.” In 2008, British missionary Brian Thorp , 77, was murdered during a robbery on the island of Lamu. Originally from Derbyshire, he had worked extensively across Africa as a Mill Hill missionary and may have been targeted as he was carrying cash due to be paid to labourers renovating a church. Kiwayu is a favourite of celebrities and backpackers. Artist Tracey Emin has visited the resort and talked of her love of the area, telling the Times in 2008: “There’s a tiny little spot in Kenya called Kiwayu, near the Somalian border, which has to be one of my favourite places on earth. “It’s so tranquil. You just lie on the beach and thousands of pink crabs cover the whole shoreline – you have the combination of the aquamarine sea and the pink crest of the crabs.” The actor Imelda Staunton wrote in the Daily Telegraph two years ago : “It was very nice lying there on the beach, but it all seemed a bit tame – and then suddenly about 50 monkeys came over the dunes, and wandered over to have a look at us, before heading down to the sea to get crabs for their tea.” Sir Mick Jagger is also reported to have stayed at the lodge, which was opened in 1973 by an Italian couple. The resort website says: “There are few places in the world which can boast such seclusion. “We are visited only by fishermen, the dhows that still come to collect water and the occasional sports fisherman in search of the magnificent marlin, which are then tagged and released back into the sea.” It currently charges $445 (around £278) per adult per night to stay in its beach bungalows. Kenya Africa guardian.co.uk

Posted by on September 11, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.