Dozens massacred in Kenya attack

Written By Unknown on Senin, 16 Juni 2014 | 19.15

16 June 2014 Last updated at 12:47
Police trucks

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Footage from the scene shows the aftermath of the attack which happened as people were watching the World Cup, as Dennis Okari reports

At least 48 people have died after unidentified gunmen attacked hotels and a police station in a Kenyan coastal town, officials say.

Witnesses in Mpeketoni said gun battles lasted for several hours and reported seeing buildings set on fire.

The town is on the mainland near Lamu island, a well-known tourist resort.

Kenya has suffered numerous militant attacks since 2011 when its forces entered neighbouring Somalia to combat the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group.

This is the most deadly attack in Kenya since at least 67 people were killed during a siege by al-Shabab fighters at Nairobi's Westgate shopping centre last September.

Kenyan army spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir said the attackers were "likely to be al-Shabab", but the group has not yet commented.

Other unconfirmed reports said the raid was linked to a land dispute between rival communities in the remote area.

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I heard them shouting in Somali as they fired around. I lost two of my brothers, and I escaped"

End Quote John Waweru Resident

The attack started at 20:30 local time (17:30 GMT) on Sunday as locals were watching a football World Cup match on television.

Local residents told the BBC the gunmen hijacked a van and used it to attack various locations across Mpeketoni, which tourists travelling by road pass through before crossing to Lamu.

All those killed are believed to be locals. The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) says no foreigners were in the town at the time of the attack.

Witnesses said gunmen, who had their faces covered, threw explosives into the local police station before entering and stealing weapons.

Kenya has been on high alert recently following warnings that al-Shabab was planning more attacks.

Timeline of Somali raids in Kenya

September 2011: UK national Judith Tebbutt kidnapped and her husband David killed in raid on Kiwayu island, north of Lamu. She was released six months later by a pirate gang

October 2011: Kenya sends troops into Somalia following Tebbutt's kidnapping and cross-border raids by al-Shabab; Al-Shabab warns of revenge attacks

Since then, numerous attacks in Nairobi, Mombasa and north-eastern region of Kenya, inhabited by ethnic Somalis

September 2013: At least 67 people killed after al-Shabab militants take control of Westgate shopping centre in Nairobi

May 2014: UK issues travel advisory, warning of increased risk of terror attack in Nairobi and coastal areas - UK tourists evacuated

June 2014: At least 48 people killed in raid on Mpeketoni

The US and UK have issued advisories to their nationals to keep away from parts of the Kenyan coast.

Sunday's attack comes days after the UK government closed its consulate in the port city of Mombasa, citing heightened security threats.

Surveillance aircraft

District deputy commissioner Benson Maisori said several buildings in Mpeketoni had been burned down, including hotels, restaurants, banks and government offices, AFP news agency reports.

"There were around 50 attackers, heavily armed in three vehicles, and they were flying the Shabab flag. They were shouting in Somali and shouting 'Allahu Akbar' [God is Great]," he said.

However, Lamu County police commander Leonard Omollo told Reuters news agency that it was still unclear who carried out the attack.

The gunmen singled out men, sparing the lives of women and children, he said.

Local resident John Waweru, 28, said two of his brothers had been killed.

"The attackers came in around 9pm. I heard them shouting in Somali as they fired around. I lost two of my brothers, and I escaped. I ran and locked up myself in a house," he told AFP.

Major Chirchir said surveillance aircraft had been dispatched to the region to help track down the attackers.

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta has summoned Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku and police chief David Kimaiyo to discuss the security situation, the BBC's Caroline Karobia reports from Nairobi.

Questions are being asked about how gunmen could raid a town for about five hours without an adequate response from the security forces, she says.

Nearby Lamu island is a popular tourist destination with ancient architecture that is listed as a Unesco World Heritage site.

UK national Judith Tebbutt was kidnapped by gunmen in September 2011 from the remote resort of Kiwayu, north-east of Lamu.

The gang also shot dead her 58-year-old husband, David Tebbutt.

Mrs Tebbutt was released six months later after a ransom was paid to pirates holding her captive in Somalia.

Are you in Mpeketoni? Have you been affected by the recent activities? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the title 'Mpeketoni'.

Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.

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