The Italian government is working "in utmost confidentiality" to secure the release of Silvia Romano, a young Italian aid worker who was kidnapped in southeast Kenya last month.
"Negotiations are taking place in utmost confidentiality to bring Silvia Romano home safe and sound," said sources at the interior ministry.
Interior minister Matteo Salvini "has been careful to avoid commenting, given the delicacy of the case", according to the sources.
Romano, 23, was kidnapped on 20 November in an armed attack in a coastal area of Kilifi County, 80 kilometres from Malindi. She volunteers for the Africa Milele NGO based in Torno in Italy's eastern March region.
It is not known whether the men who kidnapped Romano are members of a local gang aiming to get a ransom or are linked to the Islamist militant group al-Shabab.
Kenyan police reportedly arrested 100 villagers including women and children on Saturday in connection with Romano's abduction.
