Dozens killed in Kenya tribal clashes

More than a quarter of those killed were children

More than 30 people have been killed in a deadly tribal violence in a coastal town in Kenya’s southeast. The dead include several children and women.

The Kenyan Red Cross said 32 were killed but further reports quoting local police say the figure stood at 39.

Attackers, suspected to be farmers from the Pokomo tribe, raided Kipao, a semi-nomadic settlement in Kenya’s Tana region.

The two sides have clashed repeatedly in the past over grazing rights and farmland ownership.

Police said the latest attack, which occurred early Friday, appears to have been a revenge raid after the last clashes in August and September which left more than 100 people dead.

More than 150 raiders attacked the community and killed dozens including 13 children and six women, the police said. Some of the attackers were also killed.

“About 150 Pokomo raiders attacked Kipao village which is inhabited by the Ormas early on Friday. The Ormas appeared to have been aware and were prepared,” Robert Kitur, Coast Region deputy police chief, was quoted as telling reporters.

More than a dozen people were also injured in the attack and were being treated of wounds from gunshots, machetes, spears and arrows.

The fighting is said to raise concern over next presidential elections set for March 2013.

Kenya’s last election in 2007 was enmeshed in violence that left more than a thousand people dead, and many more displaced.