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Kenya police attack in Samburu: More bodies found | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
At least 42 officers were killed when cattle rustlers ambushed police, officials say, after more bodies were found on Monday. | |
The attackers used sophisticated weapons such as anti-personnel bombs and rocket-propelled grenades, one local official said. | |
A religious leader told the BBC that villagers feared being caught up in further revenge attacks. | |
This is the most deadly attack on the police in Kenya's history. | |
Internal Security Minister Katoo ole Metito vowed to bring those responsible to justice, the Standard newspaper reports. | |
The officers were attacked in Baragoi in the northern Samburu County as they attempted to recover stolen cattle. | |
"They were ambushed by attackers bearing sophisticated weapons, including machine guns," Rift Valley provincial commissioner Osman Warfa told the Reuters news agency. | |
The religious leader, who did not want to be named, said the situation was "tense, with heavily armed security personnel patrolling villages". | |
"We fear the anger of these security people could fall on innocent civilians, as those who may have killed the policemen are nowhere now," he said. | "We fear the anger of these security people could fall on innocent civilians, as those who may have killed the policemen are nowhere now," he said. |
A security source who said that 42 bodies had been found told the BBC that the final death toll could be even higher. | |
Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said three of the attackers had been killed, while nine injured officers remained in hospital. | |
The local Samburu and Turkana communities often steal cattle from each other, and clash over grazing rights and access to water points. | The local Samburu and Turkana communities often steal cattle from each other, and clash over grazing rights and access to water points. |
A similar attack, in which 12 people were killed, took place nearby two weeks ago, Kenyan media report. | A similar attack, in which 12 people were killed, took place nearby two weeks ago, Kenyan media report. |