From: "Stasi" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Peoples War] Kenya: Fresh Land Clashes - BBC Friday, 7 December, 2001, 16:36 GMT RealPlayer Audio: http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1695000/audio/_1697529_tom.ram The BBC's Tom McKinley reports from Nairobi: "On Thursday night over 100 houses were set on fire" Fresh land clashes in Kenya =================== http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_1697000/1697529.stm Access to water and land for cattle have been the death of the tribes The authorities in Kenya say at least 20 people have been killed in fresh ethnic fighting over land and river rights in the south east of the country. The ongoing dispute is between the Orma pastoralists and Pokoma farmers in the Tana River District. "It is a mess that has to be cleared up sooner rather than later" Police Commissioner Peter Muthike Correspodnents say Thursday's violent confrontation was the deadliest since the two sides resumed hostilities this week. The death toll is being put at 38 for the week with more than 100 people estimated to have died this year. The assistant police commissioner for the area has confirmed the figures, and added that on Thursday night, over 100 houses were set on fire. Government's failure The BBC's Tom McKinley in Nairobi says the pastoralists need to water their livestock in the Tana river, however, to do so, they must cross over Orma agricultural land. This land is situated along the banks of the river. The Orma claim that the Pokoma cattle are destroying their crops, and that they have no right to go on their land. He says the government had promised earlier in the year to resolve the land issue, but so far have been unable to secure any sort of compromise. "It is a mess that has to be cleaned up sooner rather than later," police commissioner Peter Muthike told AFP news agency. Red Cross help The police admit that they have been helpless to intervene, although they had announced a sweep of the area to seize all illegal weapons. Mr Muthike added: " We have tried our best but it seems we can't stop the clashes as yet". Our correspondent says with the disputed zone being fairly close to the border with war-torn Somalia, both tribes have been able to obtain weapons without much difficulty. The Kenya Red Cross has been distributing food and clothing to victims who have fled to seek refuge in church compounds and a trading centre. But it says more food and blankets are needed. More than 2,500 people from both communites are homeless. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
