Al Shabaab fighters kidnap two Cuban doctors in Kenya | New

Al-Shabab alleged fighters abducted two Cuban doctors and killed their police bodyguard in northern Kenya near the border with Somalia, where is the armed group, according to the officials.

The doctors were ambushed as they made their way to work on Friday, said David Ohito, director of communications for the Mandera County Government.

Ali Roba, governor of Mandera, said in a statement that the vehicle of the gunmen had blocked the doctors' vehicle and opened fire on their bodyguards, making a death on the spot.

The gunmen may have taken the doctors to Somalia, said police spokesman Charles Owino. He said the doctor's driver had been arrested to help with the investigations.

A police officer identified the doctors as Dr. Assel Herera Correa, general practitioner, and Dr. Landy Rodriguez, surgeon.

They were badigned to the Mandera County referral hospital in a group of about 100 Cubans who came to Kenya last year to help strengthen health services.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak to the press.

"Our security agencies are working with Somalia, and government security agencies are pursuing kidnappers in Somalia to help the victims," ​​Kenyan police chief Hillary Mutyambai said in a statement.

This was the second kidnapping of a stranger in five months, presumably perpetrated by the Somali group Al-Shabab.

In November, an Italian volunteer, Silvia Romano, was abducted in the coastal region of southern Kenya by armed men linked to al-Shabab. She has not been found.

The al-Qaeda affiliate has been fighting since 2007 to overthrow the Somali central government, which is backed by a 20,000-strong African Union force, known as AMISOM, and is establishing its own regime based on a strict interpretation of Islamic law.

The group is also carrying out frequent badaults in Kenya, mainly in the border region of Somalia, to pressure the Kenyan government to withdraw its troops from Somalia.

On Tuesday, the US Embbady had updated its travel warning for Kenya, listing "do not travel" for Mandera County.

"Exercise has increased caution in Kenya because of crime, terrorism and kidnappings," reads the warning.

Kidnappings in Kenya are relatively rare but can have a devastating impact on tourism, a major source of income.