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Dozens killed in raid on village in Kenya Dozens killed in raid on village in Kenya
(35 minutes later)
At least 39 people were killed when farmers raided a village of herders in south-eastern Kenya early on Friday in renewed fighting between two communities with a history of violent animosity, a police official said.At least 39 people were killed when farmers raided a village of herders in south-eastern Kenya early on Friday in renewed fighting between two communities with a history of violent animosity, a police official said.
Thirteen children, six women, 11 men and nine attackers were killed, said the police official Anthony Kamitu. Thirteen children, six women, 11 men and nine attackers were killed, said the police official, Anthony Kamitu.
Forty-five houses were set on fire during the attack, the Kenya Red Cross spokeswoman Nelly Muluka said.Forty-five houses were set on fire during the attack, the Kenya Red Cross spokeswoman Nelly Muluka said.
Kamitu, who is leading police operations to prevent attacks in the region, said the Pokomo tribe of farmers had raided a village of the semi-nomadic Orma herding community at dawn in the Tana river delta. He said the raiders were armed with spears and AK-47 rifles.Kamitu, who is leading police operations to prevent attacks in the region, said the Pokomo tribe of farmers had raided a village of the semi-nomadic Orma herding community at dawn in the Tana river delta. He said the raiders were armed with spears and AK-47 rifles.
At least 110 people were killed in clashes between the Pokomo and Orma in August and September.At least 110 people were killed in clashes between the Pokomo and Orma in August and September.
The tit-for-tat cycle of killings may be related to a redrawing of political boundaries and next year's general elections, the UN humanitarian co-ordinator for Kenya, Aeneas C Chuma, said in late August. However, on the surface the violence seems driven by competition for water, pasture and other resources, he said. The tit-for-tat cycle of killings may be related to a redrawing of political boundaries and next year's general elections, the UN humanitarian co-ordinator for Kenya, Aeneas C Chuma, said in late August. However, on the surface the violence seemed driven by competition for water, pasture and other resources, he said.
Dhadho Godana, a member of parliament from the region, and the defence minister, Yusuf Hajji, have been accusing each other of involvement in the fighting. The two have testified before a commission of inquiry led by a high court judge investigating the clashes.Dhadho Godana, a member of parliament from the region, and the defence minister, Yusuf Hajji, have been accusing each other of involvement in the fighting. The two have testified before a commission of inquiry led by a high court judge investigating the clashes.
Political tensions and tribal animosities have increased due to competition among potential candidates in the March election.Political tensions and tribal animosities have increased due to competition among potential candidates in the March election.
Violence after Kenya's last general election, in late 2007, killed more than 1,000 people. Officials are working to avoid a repeat during March's presidential election, but episodes of violence around the country are raising fears that pockets of the country will see violence during the voting period.Violence after Kenya's last general election, in late 2007, killed more than 1,000 people. Officials are working to avoid a repeat during March's presidential election, but episodes of violence around the country are raising fears that pockets of the country will see violence during the voting period.
The Tana river area is about 430 miles (690km) from the capital, Nairobi.The Tana river area is about 430 miles (690km) from the capital, Nairobi.
The utilisation of the Tana river water has been at the middle of a conflict pitting the Pokomo against the Orma, according to research by the Institute of Security Studies in 2004, following clashes in the Tana river area from 2000 to 2002. Research by the Institute of Security Studies in 2004, following clashes in the Tana river area from 2000 to 2002, found that use of the river's water was at the centre of conflict between the Pokomo and the Orma.
The Pokomo claim the land along the river and the Orma claim the waters of the river, said the research by Taya Weiss, titled Guns in the Borderlands Reducing the Demand for Small Arms. At least 108 people died in the 2000-2002 clashes, according to the parliamentary record.The Pokomo claim the land along the river and the Orma claim the waters of the river, said the research by Taya Weiss, titled Guns in the Borderlands Reducing the Demand for Small Arms. At least 108 people died in the 2000-2002 clashes, according to the parliamentary record.
The longstanding conflict between the two tribes had previously resulted in relatively low casualties but the increased availability of guns has caused the casualties to escalate and more property to be destroyed, said the report. The longstanding conflict between the two tribes had previously resulted in relatively low casualties but the increased availability of guns caused the casualties to escalate and more property to be destroyed, said the report.
It said a catalyst to the conflict was the collapse of three irrigation schemes at Bura, Hola and Tana delta, which influenced residents' lifestyles in terms of employment and sources of income.It said a catalyst to the conflict was the collapse of three irrigation schemes at Bura, Hola and Tana delta, which influenced residents' lifestyles in terms of employment and sources of income.
"The collapse of these schemes forced the nomadic pastoralists to move during the wet season, while the farmers remained along the river. During the dry season the pastoralists move back to the river in search of water and pasture," it said."The collapse of these schemes forced the nomadic pastoralists to move during the wet season, while the farmers remained along the river. During the dry season the pastoralists move back to the river in search of water and pasture," it said.
The Tana river area has the characteristics of any other conflict-prone area in Kenya: underdevelopment, poor infrastructure, poor communication and social amenities, and social marginalisation, according to the report.The Tana river area has the characteristics of any other conflict-prone area in Kenya: underdevelopment, poor infrastructure, poor communication and social amenities, and social marginalisation, according to the report.
"Communities are arming themselves because of the need to defend against perceived attacks," said the report. "They feel that the government security machinery has not been able to effectively respond to violence. Isolation has led to increased demand for guns.""Communities are arming themselves because of the need to defend against perceived attacks," said the report. "They feel that the government security machinery has not been able to effectively respond to violence. Isolation has led to increased demand for guns."