Extremists briefly kidnap top government official in Kenya
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Suspected al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremists briefly took hostage a top Kenya government official in the country's volatile southeast, an official said Thursday. It was the highest-profile kidnapping by al-Shabab so far in the East African nation, raising security concerns ahead of next month's election.
A top public works official, Maryam Elmaawy, was on the way to visit families who had fled recent al-Shabab attacks when her convoy was attacked, Coast Regional Police Commander Larry Kieng said.
Police said two other vehicles were briefly held and released, while the car with Elmaawy was driven into the Boni Forest by extremists.
Elmaawy was rescued by Kenya's military but suffered injuries, Kieng said. It was not clear what happened to the five other people reported to be in her vehicle.
Police also reported casualties but did not give details.
