Islamist militants kill 48 in Kenya attacks

Suspected Somali Islamist militants have attacked a Kenyan coastal town, killing at least 48 people.

The attack took place on Sunday evening as locals were watching a football World Cup match on television.

Witnesses in Mpeketoni, which is near the tourist resort of Lamu, said gun battles went on for several hours and reported seeing buildings set on fire.
Local residents said gunmen hijacked a van and used it to attack various locations across Mpeketoni, which are used by tourists on their way to resorts on the island of Lamu.
The gunmen, who had their faces covered, threw explosives into the local police station before entering and stealing weapons.
District deputy commissioner Benson Maisori said several buildings in Mpeketoni had been burned down, including hotels, restaurants, banks and government offices.
This is the most deadly attack in Kenya since at least 67 people were killed during a siege at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping centre last September.
Kenya has suffered numerous militant attacks since 2011 when its forces entered neighbouring Somalia to combat al-Shabab fighters.
Source: BBC