Tribal clashes toll hits 20
2007-07-09 08:53
Nairobi - The death toll in weekend clashes between rival tribes in a remote and arid Kenyan district has climbed to 20 after five more bodies were found, say police.
The bodies were found in a thicket in Sumburu district, a volatile dust bowl area about 260km northeast of the capital, where Pokot and Samburu tribal warriors fought on Saturday.
Rift Valley police commander Everette Wasike said: "We found five more bodies of the (Pokot) attackers, bringing the death toll to 20."
Six Samburu villagers were killed in the clashes sparked by a cattle-rustling incident. Wasike said police were still pursuing about 1 000 livestock stolen.
The two tribes had traditionally feuded over access to resources, claiming hundreds of lives in recent years, but the practice had become increasingly bloody after the rivals acquired modern firearms.
A government bid last year to disarm the tribes, in which human rights groups accused authorities of using excessive force, failed after the fighters refused to give up their arms.