11 Sep 2012

More tribal clashes in Kenya

7:14 am on 11 September 2012

At least 38 people have been killed in more ethnic clashes in south-east Kenya.

Ther Red Cross says children and policemen were among those killed in an attack on Kilelengwani village on Monday by more than 300 people, who set fire to 167 houses.

The BBC reports nearly 100 people have now been killed in clashes between rival ethnic groups over cattle-grazing rights in the eastern Tana River district since last month.

The Orma and Pokomo tribes have a long history of tension. The Pokomo are mostly farmers, while the Orma are semi-nomadic cattle-herders.

A dusk-to-dawn curfew in Tana River county was ordered on Monday by President Mwai Kibaki.

The BBC reports the trouble is the worst since the disputed presidential elections in 2007.

New parliamentary and presidential elections are due in March 2013