November 21, 2018 — Gunmen attacked Chakama in Kilifi County on Tuesday evening, abducting a 23-year-old Italian student volunteer and leaving five people injured, according to police and residents.
The raid hit the village in Galana Kulalu, about 80 kilometres west of Malindi town, where witnesses said about 80 heavily armed men arrived and fired into the air before taking the woman away.
A local witness, who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the case, said: "They then kidnapped the young Italian lady, who works as a volunteer in the area,"
The woman was working with Africa Milele Onlus, a non-governmental organisation focused on raising literacy levels in Chakama.
Police said three of the wounded were children and that they had been admitted to Malindi Sub County Hospital. The force also said it had deployed officers to the scene after the attack.
By the time police arrived, sources told the Daily Nation, the attackers had already crossed River Galana. One witness said: "The lady could be heard calling for help as they took her across the river,"
Authorities said the motive for the attack had not been established, and the identity of the attackers remained unknown.
