Relief agency searches for 50 missing after Kenya attacks

, June 18:

Red Cross Society (KRCS) said on Tuesday it has launched a tracing hotline to help identify 50 villagers who are missing following the attacks that left over 60 people killed in the coastal region.

KRCS Director of External Relations and Mobilisation Jacqueline Waita said a total of 59 missing cases were reported by the end of Monday of which were closed positively and 52 cases still pending.

"A tracing hotline was shared for reporting any missing persons and is still active with a total of 30 cases being reported out of the 59 above," Xinhua quoted Waita as saying in a statement. She said the KRCS team has continued to offer psychosocial help and support to evacuate the affected victims.

59 missing cases were reported by the end of June 16

Waita said tensions are reported to be high in the area, with reports of follow-up attacks in Poromoko and Mapenya villages.
The residents held protests in the town following the killings by gunmen Sunday and Monday nights.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said on Tuesday the attacks on the civilian over two nights were the work of "local political networks", dismissing claims by the Somali insurgents that they were behind the heinous act.

Kenyatta's denial came after Al-Shabaab militants claimed responsibility for Sunday and Monday's attacks.

IANS