48 killed in Tana River night attack

Police officers are seen in Kau village where manyattas were razed two weeks ago. At least 40 people were killed following an August 22, 2012 night attack at Reketa village in Tana River County.

What you need to know:

  • Of those killed, six are men, eleven children and the rest women, says Coast deputy police boss Robert Kitur.
  • Contingent of 200 officers from the General Service Unit, Administration and regular police had secured the area.

Forty eight people were killed following a Tuesday night attack at Reketa village in Tana River County.

The latest incident, which Coast Provincial Commissioner Samuel Kilele described as a revenge attack, also left many injured and others missing.

“I can confirm that 48 people were killed. Out of this six are men, eleven children and the rest women," said Coast deputy police boss Robert Kitur.

He said a contingent of 200 officers from the General Service Unit, Administration and regular police had secured the area.

“I am on my way there but as we speak, 200 officers are on the ground and have taken charge of the situation, conducting patrols and ensuring safety of the residents,.” Mr Kitur told the Nation on the telephone.

Earlier, the Kenya Red Cross had estimated the number of the dead at “between 30 and 50”, but said the exact figure could only be confirmed once their team reach the scene of the attack at the remote Reketa village.

A villager, who spoke to the Nation also gave the same estimate but said others, mainly children could not be accounted for.

“We have counted more than 50 bodies. But 13 children are still missing and we think they have either been kidnapped or have drowned in the river,” Hajir Daud Imani, a Reketa resident said during a telephone interview.

KRC head of disaster in the Coast region, Sadique Kaka, while confirming the attack, said: “We have reports that the dead range between 30 and 50. We will let you know once we get the exact figure.”

Humanitarian assistance

He said a team of Red Cross officials in a convoy of five vehicles have been dispatched to the village to provide humanitarian assistance.

Coast PC Mr Kilele declined to put a figure on the number of dead, saying he had not received a report from officers on the ground.

He described the incident as a revenge attack, fuelled by arrogance and chest-thumping by the warring communities, which undermined peace efforts.

“The police we sent to the ground have not managed to reach the village as the area is swampy and had to take an alternative route. Until I get their report, I do not want to speculate on the numbers,” Mr Kilele said.

The attack comes in the wake of last week’s incident in which three villagers were killed and six injured after Orma herdsmen attacked Pokomo villagers.

The attack occurred after cattle owned by the Orma strayed into Pokomo farmlands and destroyed crops. The farmers attacked the herdsmen and slashed some of their animals.

The herdsmen regrouped and attacked a Pokomo village, killing three villagers.

In Parliament, Garsen MP Danson Mungatana demanded an immediate statement from the government.

He accused the government of laxity and reluctance to act on time to prevent the death.

Condemn killings

Mr Mungatana asked the authorities explain to the House what action was being taken to deal with the attacks.

In Mombasa, Muslims leaders condemned the killings.

The council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) organising secretary Sheikh Mohammed Khalifa said a team from his organisation had confirmed 48 deaths and several other injuries.

Mr Khalifa said CIPK had dispatched a team, led by Tana River branch coordinator Sheikh Omar Kudo, to assess the situation and provide humanitarian help.

"We have facilitated means and ways of ferrying those injured to hospitals. Our team on the ground has confirmed 48 deaths including 31women, six men,11 children and unspecified numbers of injuries," Sheikh Khalifa said.

Reported by Anthony Kitimo, Bozo Jenje, Galgalo Bocha and Njeri Rugene