Key suspect in Italian volunteer’s abduction detained, say Kenya Police officials

Kenyan police officials say they have detained the man they believe to be responsible for the kidnapping of an Italian volunteer.

Two senior officials said that the man was detained on December 10 evening in Tana River county. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the issue to reporters.

At least three gunmen carried out the Nov. 20 attack in which 23-year-old Italian Silvia Costanza Romano was kidnapped from a coastal community. Five other people, including children, were wounded.

It was the first kidnapping of a foreigner in Kenya in several years.

No one has claimed responsibility.

With inputs from agency.