30 burn to death in church

2008-01-01 15:56

Nairobi - At least 30 people burned to death on Tuesday in a church in western Kenya.

The people took shelter in the church after fleeing tribal clashes sparked by disputed presidential elections, police and Red Cross sources said.

"At least 30 have burned to death inside a church in the Kiama area," a police commander told AFP.

"We have been informed that 42 have been taken to hospital with severe burns, but I am yet to confirm the death toll in the church," a Red Cross official said.

The church was in the western town of Eldoret which has witnessed some of the worst violence since Sunday's controversial re-election of President Mwai Kibaki unleased a wave of riots in strongholds of his defeated opponent Raila Odinga.

- AFP