Cattle-rustling attack kills 32 in Kenya (16/09/09)

NAIROBI, Kenya (CNN) -- A cattle-rustling attack in central Kenya has left 32 people dead, including three women and eight children, the Kenya Red Cross said.

Al least 400 raiders attacked a small village in Samburu district early Monday, killing 21 residents, the Red Cross said. The villagers fought back and 11 of the raiders also died.

About 15 people were seriously wounded and airlifted to a district hospital.

At least 26 cattle also were killed and their carcasses "were strewn all over the area," the Red Cross said in its statement. Their carcasses pose a health threat, the agency added.

Kenya has been suffering from one of its worst droughts in years, leading to an increasing conflict over the meager resources in the country. Cattle-rustling is common and herders often carry weapons.

By Tuesday evening, about 50 households had migrated from the area out of fear of another attack.


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