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'Dozens killed' in Kenya violence | 'Dozens killed' in Kenya violence |
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At least 24 people have died in fighting between residents of a central Kenyan town and suspected members of the outlawed Mungiki sect, police say. | At least 24 people have died in fighting between residents of a central Kenyan town and suspected members of the outlawed Mungiki sect, police say. |
A police spokesman, Charles Owino, said residents of Karatina had decided to fight back because the sect had been extorting money from local people. | |
Media reports say there has been a spate of killings targeting the sect. | |
The Mungiki, mainly from President Mwai Kibaki's Kikuyu ethnic group, are seen as Kenya's version of the mafia. | The Mungiki, mainly from President Mwai Kibaki's Kikuyu ethnic group, are seen as Kenya's version of the mafia. |
The gang has continued to operate despite being banned in 2002, extorting money from owners of minibus taxis and other public transport vehicles. | |
In 2007 more than 100 suspected sect members were killed in a police crackdown after a series of grisly beheadings blamed on the sect. | |
Last year it was accused of carrying out revenge attacks after ethnic Kikuyus were killed by rival gangs in post-election violence. |