Livestock raid kills 16 in Kenya
2006-12-15 12:52
Nairobi - A livestock raid has killed 16 people in the latest flare-up in Kenya's remote north, where tribal fighting over scant resources is common, say reports.
It was reported that gun-wielding raiders from the West Pokot area also stole at least 6 000 cows, goats and sheep during the raid on neighbouring Turkana district.
Police and local authorities could not immediately confirm the number of deaths from the incident on Wednesday, although they said reinforcements had gone to the area.
The Daily Nation said 16 people died in the fighting, while The Standard put the death toll at 19.
National police spokesperson Gideon Kibunjah said: "The officers are pursuing the bandits."
Kenya had long tried to disarm warring communities in its vast northern regions, which had been largely neglected since colonial times. Pasture and water were scarce, meaning cattle-rustling and fights between tribes were common.