Kenyans flee as police move in

Published on 14/11/2012 00:00

HUNDREDS of people have fled their homes in north-western Kenya fearing a government backlash following the killing of 34 police officers by alleged cattle rustlers at the weekend.

Residents in Baragoi, the main town in Samburu North district, reported a massive build-up of police yesterday.

The officers who died were said to have been ambushed by members of the Turkana tribe, alleged to have stolen cattle from the rival Samburu tribe.

Police commissioner Mathew Iteere said of the operation: “We cannot allow such things to happen. I think they [the rustlers] were testing the waters and in due course they will know the depth of the river.”