Kenya coastguard surrounds kidnap boat
One of the cottages where a French woman was kidnapped by suspected Somali pirates close to the resort island of Lamu in the Kenyan coast October 1, 2011. GALGALO BOCHA
Two Kenyan coastguard vessels have surrounded a boat carrying gunmen and an elderly French woman kidnapped early Saturday.
Tourism minister Najib Balala told the Reuters news agency that the standoff was taking place near the border with Somalia.
"Two boats of the Kenyan coastguard have surrounded the boat which the gunmen and woman are on," said Mr Balala.
The woman was kidnapped by suspected Somali pirates close to the resort island of Lamu in the Kenyan coast.
Ms Marie Dedidue Manrd, 66, a former journalist was attacked by the gunmen at Ras Kitau at around 3am Saturday.
Ms Manrd, who is disabled, returned two days ago from Paris with her Kenyan partner Lepapa Ole Moiyio.
Unconfirmed reports indicated that the gunmen have been cornered by the Kenyan Navy at Kiunga where there is fierce exchange of fire.
The latest abduction comes three weeks after a British couple were attacked in Kiwayu. The assailants shot dead the husband and kidnapped his wife.
The woman, Judith Tebbutt, was taken across the border to Somalia where she is still being held.
