KENYAN police announced the arrest of Lamu district governor Issa Timamy today in connection with three recent massacres in which over 60 people were killed.

Governor Timamy was detained late on Wednesday in connection with killings over two consecutive nights in and around the town of Mpeketoni last week that claimed nearly 60 lives. 

Another attack this week left at least five dead.

“The governor is in custody,” Criminal Investigations Department chief Ndegwa Muhoro said.

“There are various charges lined up for him related to the attack,” he said, without giving further details.

Despite an immediate claim of responsibility from the Islamist Shebab group, President Uhuru Kenyatta has blamed “local political networks” along with an “opportunist network of criminal gangs.”

The accusations have stoked already smouldering rivalries between President Kenyatta and opposition parties.

Governor Timamy is a member of the opposition Coalition for Reforms and Democracy.