This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-37759749

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Al-Shabab attack on Kenyan town Mandera kills 12 'Al-Shabab attack' on Kenyan town Mandera kills 12
(about 2 hours later)
At least 12 people have been killed in an attack in Kenya carried out by Somalia-based militant Islamist group al-Shabab. At least 12 people have been killed in an attack in Kenya claimed by Somalia-based militant Islamist group al-Shabab.
Police in the Kenyan border town of Mandera said the attackers used explosives during the overnight attack. The target was a guesthouse hosting members of a theatre group who were performing plays in schools in the north-eastern town of Mandera.
The target was a guesthouse hosting members of a theatre group who were in the town for performances in schools. Kenyan authorities dispute that al-Shabab carried out the attack.
It is the latest in a spate of deadly attacks targeting Christians in the mainly Muslim region.It is the latest in a spate of deadly attacks targeting Christians in the mainly Muslim region.
Reports say that the theatre group was composed of university students who had travelled to the north-eastern town to perform plays in local schools. Reports say that the 10-member theatre group was composed of university students who had travelled to Mandera to perform plays in local schools.
At least six of the members are yet to be accounted for, while four are in hospital. Two members of the little known theatre travelling group, Pearls Quality Edutainment, were killed.
The others were among among 10 people rescued after the dawn attack.
Actors attacked for the fourth time: By Abdinoor Aden, BBC Africa
This was the fourth attempted attack on Pearls Quality Edutainment actors who had been in Mandera town for three weeks performing plays in secondary schools.
Daud Otieno, the group's producer who survived the attack, told the BBC that the gunmen raided the hotel early on Tuesday morning, shouting "actors, actors" while firing at the rooms.
Eight cast members who stayed in the hotel, which has a capacity of 20 people, survived.
The actors were on their final day before the gunmen struck.
"We have been receiving threats and we have experienced attacks wherever we stayed before they finally got us," said Mr Otieno.
He said the gunmen spoke in Somali and fired at them repeatedly and some of them hid in the toilets as the gunmen fired at them and set off explosions.
The militants have claimed the attack in an affiliated radio station saying that it launched an attack in Mandera killing "15 Kenyans".The militants have claimed the attack in an affiliated radio station saying that it launched an attack in Mandera killing "15 Kenyans".
Earlier this month, al-Shabab militants killed six people in an attack the group said was aimed at forcing Christians out of the area.Earlier this month, al-Shabab militants killed six people in an attack the group said was aimed at forcing Christians out of the area.
Analysis: Abdullahi Abdi, BBC Somali service, Kenya Mandera borders Somalia, making it vulnerable to attacks from militants based there.
Mandera borders Somalia, making it vulnerable to attacks from militants based there. The militants usually cross the porous border, carrying out deadly attacks on civilians and security agents before fleeing back. Many of the Christians in the area are skilled workers from other parts of Kenya, making a vital contribution to local hospitals and schools.
Muslims in the north east increasingly see al-Shabab as a threat to their own interests and are making a concerted effort to improve relations with Christians living there.
Many of the Christians are skilled workers from other parts of Kenya, making a vital contribution to hospitals and schools. The north east is one of Kenya's poorest areas and, if they are driven out, public services will worsen.
Al-Shabab, based in Somalia, is affiliated to al-Qaeda.Al-Shabab, based in Somalia, is affiliated to al-Qaeda.
The group has been at war with Kenya ever since Kenyan forces entered Somalia in October 2011 in an effort to crush them.The group has been at war with Kenya ever since Kenyan forces entered Somalia in October 2011 in an effort to crush them.
Kenyan troops are now part of the African Union mission in Somalia.Kenyan troops are now part of the African Union mission in Somalia.
The militants have lost control of most Somali towns and cities in recent years but still control rural areas in southern and central Somalia.The militants have lost control of most Somali towns and cities in recent years but still control rural areas in southern and central Somalia.