NAIROBI, Kenya — A Kenyan newspaper has apologized for reproducing a caricature of Prophet Muhammad featured in the Paris-based Charlie Hebdo magazine in its first issue since it was attacked by Islamic extremists.

The Star, Kenya's third largest newspaper, said Thursday that many Muslim readers had complained about the picture, which was published in Wednesday's issue.

The Star said it sincerely regrets any offense and pain caused by the picture and will bear Muslim sensibilities in mind in future. Islam generally forbids depictions of the Prophet Muhammad.

A leader of Yemen's al-Qaida branch officially claimed responsibility for the attacks in Paris that left 12 dead, saying the slayings came in "vengeance for the prophet." Kenya is battling growing extremism blamed on the recruitment of Kenyan youth by al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab militants from Somalia.