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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Dozens killed' in Kenya violence | 'Dozens killed' in Kenya violence |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. |
| AFP news agency quoted police spokesman Eric Kiraithe as saying that groups of residents started attacking suspected Mungiki members and slashing some of them to death. | |
| At least three more people were wounded in the violence. | |
| 'All-out war' | |
| Mr Kiraithe said the Mungiki fought back. | |
| "We understand that the Mungiki also regrouped and engaged the locals in an all-out war in the villages," he said. | |
| "All of those killed were hacked or stoned to death. Our officers tried to restore order, otherwise the situation could have degenerated into something much worse than it is." | |
| He added that 37 people had been arrested and more were being hunted. Machetes and other weapons were being collected from the scene. | |
| The Mungiki 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. | 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. | Last year it was accused of carrying out revenge attacks after ethnic Kikuyus were killed by rival gangs in post-election violence. |