Nairobi — At least 20 Ugandan nationals living in Marakwet East district were Thursday morning forced to seek police protection following an attack from residents of Kabyego division, who accused the foreigners of perpetuating crime.

"We are holding the Ugandans at Kapsowar police station for safe custody. Four of them were were seriously injured and are undergoing treatment at AIC Kapsowar mission hospital," said the area police chief, Dido Galgalo.

The skirmishes were sparked off by the death of a villager, identified as Isack Limo Kanda alias 'Uhuru,' 59, a former councillor who was allegedly found murdered and his body left in a potato farm.

The deceased was said to have been seen last in the company of four of the foreigners.

"The four suspects were pulled out of their rental houses in Kapyego trading centre and beaten mercilessly before the Administration police officers attached to the Kabyego chief's camp intervened by firing in the air to disperse the rowdy mob," said an eye witnesses at the centre.