The police have launched a crackdown in pursuit of armed gunmen, who raided a shopping center at Chakama, Kilifi county (about 80 kilometers west of Malindi town) and abducted a 23-year old Italian woman.

Five other people were left injured, including a 10-year-old boy, who was shot in the left eye but the police said he is in a stable condition.

The other victims include 12-year-old Elias Mwaringa Kathua, who was shot on the left thigh, 20-year-old Mang Katana Jeffa shot on the right thigh and Ibrahim Said, aged 16 years shot on the left knee. The three are reportedly in a stable condition apart from the fifth victim Samini Garama Dadu, aged 23 years who was shot on the left side of the neck and is said to be in a critical condition.

According to the police the gunmen, who were reportedly armed with AK47 rifles, attacked on Tuesday night at about 8pm and opened fire indiscriminately.

The lady who was abducted is a volunteer at Africa Milele Onlus, an NGO operating in the area.

“We assure the public that we are sparing no effort in tracking down the criminals and rescue the victim,”

The police have said they are yet to know the reasons for the attack or the identity of the attackers and have appealed to members of the public in the area to report promptly to the nearest Police Officer or Police Station should they sight the criminals with the abducted lady.