UK man killed, wife kidnapped in Kenya

ARMED men have killed a British man and kidnapped his wife from a beach resort in northern Kenya near the border with Somalia, a Nairobi-based diplomat says.

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 50 kilometres north of the island resort of Lamu.

He declined to give further details.

He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press.

Kenyan police spokesman Eric Kiraithe declined to give details but said Kenyan police had 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 neighbouring Somalia or if they were Kenyans.

Attacks on tourists are unusual in Kenya, which is popular for its safari vacations and pristine beaches.