Briton killed and wife kidnapped on luxury isle

The incident happened overnight on Saturday about 30 miles north of the island resort of Lamu, close to lawless Somalia.

According to reports, the attackers broke into their accommodation at the Kiwayu Safari Village resort, which consists of 18 luxury cottages spread along a private beach.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We can confirm that two British citizens were attacked overnight at a beach resort north of Lamu, near the Kenya-Somalia border.

“One was killed and another kidnapped.”

In 2008, British missionary Brian Thorp, 77, was murdered during a robbery on the island of Lamu.

Originally from Derbyshire, he had worked extensively across Africa as a Mill Hill missionary and may have been targeted as he had cash on him due to be paid to labourers renovating a church.

Advice posted on the Foreign Office website advised travellers against going within 30 miles of the Kenya-Somalia border.

It stated: “There have been previous attacks by Somali militia into Kenya. Three aid workers were kidnapped in July 2009, and two Western nuns in November 2008.”

The destination is a favourite of celebrities and backpackers alike.

Artist Tracey Emin has visited the resort and talked of her love of the area. In 2008 she wrote in The Times: “There’s a tiny little spot in Kenya called Kiwayu, near the Somalian border, which has to be one of my favourite places on earth. It’s so tranquil.

“You just lie on the beach and thousands of pink crabs cover the whole shoreline – you have the combination of the aquamarine sea and the pink crest of the crabs.”

Emin wrote of the resort’s brilliant pastry chef and of playing chess with the owner.

Actress Imelda Staunton is another past guest and wrote in the Telegraph two years ago: “It was very nice lying there on the beach, but it all seemed a bit tame – and then suddenly about 50 monkeys came over the dunes, and wandered over to have a look at us, before heading down to the sea to get crabs for their tea.”

The Kiwayu resort’s website states it takes “security and safety very seriously”.

It says: “Our relationship with the local community, its fishermen and the local authorities is positive and mutually beneficial.

“We regularly review our security and safety to ensure it is both comprehensive and current.”