Kilifi County Governor Amason Kingi has condemned Tuesday night's attack which saw five people shot and one person abducted after gunmen attacked Chakama Trading Centre, about 80 kilometres west of Malindi.
The eight gunmen armed with AK 47 rifles fired indiscriminately at residents and further abducted 23-year-old Italian lady who is a volunteer of Africa Milele Onlus, an NGO operating in the area and proceeded towards Magarini area.
"I am deeply saddened by the appalling news of a heinous attack on the residents of Chakama Trading Centre and the abduction of an Italian citizen by armed gunmen last night."
Governor Kingi said his administration will offer all the necessary support to the police forces to ensure the perpetrators of the inhuman act are brought to justice.
Related: Breaking: 5 injured as gunmen abduct Italian woman in Malindi
The Kilifi County boss indicated his government is committed to ensuring the security of all Kilifians and their property.
While echoing a statement from the police, Governor Kingi urged the public to assist security agencies with any information regarding any criminal elements.
"As a government, we are committed to ensuring the security of all Kilifians. We shall continue to do everything within our powers to protect lives and property countywide," Kingi added on Wednesday.
The injured persons were rushed to Malindi Sub-County hospital for treatment.
On November 4, the governor held a consultative meeting with Italian Ambassador to Kenya Alberto Pieri in Malindi.
Their discussion centred on the continued relations with the Italian Government as well as Italy’s commitment on how it will improve the social aspects of the people of Kilifi in areas that Italy holds key investments such as the Ngomeni village which hosts the Luigi Broglio space station owned by the Italian Government.
The Italian Government, through its Embassy, reassured its commitment of issuing €6.4 million euros towards supporting the County Government of Kilifi to help drive the County’s economic and social development agenda.
"The funds will be channelled towards the development and improvement of the county infrastructure, education, health and the reviving of the county hospitality industry."
Outstanding deliverables of the partnership will be the tarmacking of the 11-Km B8 road connecting the Malindi -Lamu highway to the Luigi Broglio Space Centre in Ngomeni, the construction of 15 new classrooms for primary and secondary schools and annexed service blocks; a brand new and fully equipped fishery centre; a water well; a footbridge for better connection of the agricultural production areas to the market points; and the upgrade of the Mambrui health facility.
The Italian government will also support the County Government of Kilifi in developing its fishing industry by constructing a fishing centre in Malindi as a way harnessing the county’s blue economy potential considering that the county has the longest coastline in the Country.
"This will boost our County’s fishing fortunes considering that my administration is also planning to build a fishing port in our County's vast coastline to reap benefits of the Blue Economy," said Kingi.