Civilians killed in raid on remote northern villages

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]
NAIROBI-- Armed raiders attacked two remote villages in Marsabit district of northern Kenya on Tuesday, killing at least 19 people and wounding dozens, including children, a police spokesman said.

"Our officers have established that 15 civilians and four of the bandits were killed in one of the manyattas [village]," the spokesman, Jaspher Ombati, said.

However, other sources said the death toll was much higher, adding that clashes had continued on Tuesday afternoon. The official Kenya Broadcasting Corporation radio reported 22 killed.

Ombati said police officers had been flown to the scene. "The area is very rugged and difficult to access so we sent a helicopter," he told IRIN.

Those wounded in the attack on Dida-Galgalo and Turbi villages included eight children who had been taken to Marsabit District Hospital, Ombati said. "They have gunshot wounds, but their condition is stable," he added.

Humanitarian sources said clashes pitted members of the Borana ethnic group against the Gabra community. The two communities have a history of feuding over pasture and water points, and often engage in revenge attacks.

The semi-arid territory near the Ethiopian border has a history of banditry and violent cattle rustling between the pastoralists who inhabit the area and who often fight over pasture and water points.