George Omonso
17 January 2008
Nairobi — Four people were killed and 16 houses set ablaze in an attack on Kalaha Village in Saboti, Trans Nzoia West District early Wednesday.
Police responded to the villagers' distress call and gunned down one of the raiders. The attackers were armed with AK-47 rifles.
Four other people injured in the early morning attack were admitted to Kitale District Hospital where they are undergoing treatment.
Intensify patrols
Kitale head of police Bernard Mulli said his officers had intensified patrols to contain further attacks.
Trans Nzoia West district commissioner Francis Mutie and the local police commander, Mr Josphat Ndung'u, led a team of security personnel to the scene and assured residents of protection.
However, despite Mr Mutie's assurance, more than 1,200 people, including those whose houses were burnt in Kalaha Village, moved to Kisawai centre where they are camping.
Lack food
Those whose houses were torched said they did not save anything and were without food.
Bishop Maurice Crowley of the Kitale Catholic Diocese condemned the attack and asked the police to intensify security in the area.
He appealed to well-wishers to donate food to the displaced families camping in the area.
On Wednesday, police sealed off Kenyatta stadium in the town to prevent people from attending a rally called by the Orange Democratic Movement leaders. The party has called for a three-day mass action starting from Wednesday.
Riot police also patrolled the town as residents went about their businesses.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 The Nation. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
