Italian doctor killed as two others injured

A female Italian doctor has been shot dead in Watamu near Malindi in Kilifi County.

Police said armed men stormed into a house through the rear entrance as she was having a meal with colleagues at around 10am on Saturday and killed her. Two male companions, also from Italy, were slashed and injured by what police suspect to be machetes.

The three were philanthropists supporting an institution for the disabled, Malinzi Children's Home, near Watamu and were to fly to Italy Monday morning.

The Italian consulate in Malindi and police have not released the identities of the slain woman and injured victims.

Last evening, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala condemned the attack vowing to ensure the culprits are brought to justice. "The details are still emerging and the police will issue a full statement as soon as possible," he said.

Sunday Kilifi County Commissioner Joseph Keter said police have detained three men who allegedly met the trio hours before the murder.

"We consider the attack on the Italian citizens at Watamu as an ordinary robbery," said Keter.