11 killed in fresh attacks in Kenya

Nairobi, June 24 (IANS) At least 11 people were killed and many injured in fresh attacks in east Kenya's coastal town of Witu, media reported Tuesday.

Security officials received a distress call at 2 a.m. Tuesday when the attackers were spotted at Kaketo area, a senior official spoke on condition of anonymity, Xinhua reported citing the Daily Nation.

Lamu county commissioner Stephen Ikua said armed gunmen attacked villagers, adding that the attack was suspected to be carried out by suspected Al-Shabaab members.

The attacks came after African Union mission in Somalia launched air strikes in southern Somalia, killing more than 80 Al-Shabaab militants Saturday.

Ikua said more police officers have been deployed to the area to ascertain the number of casualties and the motive of the attack.

Witu is about 40 km from Mpeketoni in Lamu where more than 60 people were killed during two attacks last week.

Al-Shabaab militants claimed responsibility for Mpeketoni's attacks. Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta, however, blamed killings on local political networks and the local police for failing to take action on intelligence.