A BRITISH tourist has been murdered and his wife kidnapped at a luxury Kenya beach resort which is popular with celebrities and prides itself on protecting its guests.

The man was shot in the head as attackers broke into the couple’s accommodation at the Kiwayu Safari Village, 18 luxury cottages spread along an isolated private beach.

The couple, who have not been named, had only just arrived at the bolthole, about 30 miles north of the island resort of Lamu, close to the Kenyan border with lawless Somalia, when the attack happened.

Reports from Kenyan officials say a policeman saw six men taking away a woman in a boat.

Foreign Office negotiators were working last night to secure the woman’s release.

A spokesman said: “We can confirm that two British citizens were at attacked overnight at a beach resort north of Lamu, near the Kenya-Somalia border.

“One was killed and another kidnapped. We are working closely with the Kenyan authorities to establish further details.

“We have deployed a consular team from our High Commission in Nairobi and are offering all possible support to the family of those involved. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

“We are working to secure the safe and swift release of the British national who has been kidnapped and ask those involved to show compassion and release the individual immediately.”

The couple are believed to have been the only guests at the resort, and had arrived after a trip to the Masai Mara.

Sir Mick Jagger is reported to have stayed at the Kiwayu lodge, which was opened in 1973 by Italian Alfredo Pelizzoli and his English wife Lisa.

It started as a tented game lodge when elephants roamed the beach. The couple’s three daughters are now involved in running the destination, which boasts the slogan “the only rule here is to relax”.

It charges around £278 per adult per night to stay in its beach bungalows, which have locally carved furniture and hammocks. Guests arrive by plane or speedboat.

The resort website says: “There are few places in the world which can boast such seclusion.

“We are visited only by fishermen, the dhows that still come to collect water and the occasional sports fisherman in search of the magnificent marlin, which are then tagged and released back into the sea.”

It says the security and safety of its guests is taken “very seriously”.

It adds: “We have a number of systems and measures in place which are designed to give you maximum security and safety without detracting from the special ambiance of this site or the area. We have our own organic security protocols as well as a professional security structure which provides us with overarching security and safety 24 hours a day.”

Other famous guests have included actress Imelda Staunton and artist Tracey Emin. In 2008, Emin wrote in a travel article: “There’s a tiny little spot in Kenya called Kiwayu, near the Somalian border, which has to be one of my favourite places on earth. It’s so tranquil. You just lie on the beach and thousands of pink crabs cover the whole shoreline – you have the combination of the aquamarine sea and the pink crest of the crabs.”

Ms Staunton also wrote in an article: “It was very nice lying there on the beach, but it all seemed a bit tame – and then suddenly about 50 monkeys came over the dunes, and wandered over to have a look at us, before heading down to the sea to get crabs for their tea.”

The Foreign Office updated its travel advice following the attack, urging visitors to avoid travelling within 30 kilometres of the Somalia border following previous attacks, including the kidnapping of three aid workers in 2009, and two nuns the following year.