This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/8009512.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
'Dozens killed' in Kenya violence | 'Dozens killed' in Kenya violence |
(about 2 hours 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. |
Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe urged local people not to take the law into their own hands. | Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe urged local people not to take the law into their own hands. |
Reports say groups of residents started attacking suspected Mungiki members and slashing some of them to death, after the gang had threatened to expel everyone from the town. | Reports say groups of residents started attacking suspected Mungiki members and slashing some of them to death, after the gang had threatened to expel everyone from the town. |
At least three more people were wounded in the violence. | At least three more people were wounded in the violence. |
'All-out war' | 'All-out war' |
Mr Kiraithe said the Mungiki fought back. | 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. | "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." | "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. | 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. | 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. |