Somali militants kill abducted Kenyan official

Somali Al-Shabaab militants have killed a Kenyan official abducted early Thursday after failing to receive 43,800 U.S. dollar ransom.

Mandera County Police Commander Job Boronjo confirmed the incident, saying the body identified as Mkutar Otieno was found in Badhere area with bullet wounds. The vehicle the gang had also carjacked was missing.

"The gunmen had demanded a ransom of 4 million shillings (43, 800 dollars) but after the negotiations broke down, the gunmen tied him on a tree and shot him at close range," he said.

The Al-Shabaab militants had hijacked the van which was ferrying khat in Arabia area in the morning.

Officials said the attackers seemed to know the area and the local administrator (chief) well. The chief was headed for Mandera town when the attack happened.

Mandera County Commissioner Alex Nkoyo had earlier told Xinhua that a contingent of security officers had pursued the militants who escaped to Somalia immediately after the incident. Endi