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Army Cracks Down in W. Kenya
10. March 2008
KITALE, Kenya (AP) — Officials in western Kenya say the army is
using heavy firepower to crack down on a group linked to bloody
land clashes.
Defense Department spokesman Bogita Ongeri declined to give
details, saying only troops were in the area to assist local
officials.
Ochiemo Cheptai, who identified himself as chairman of the Mount
Elgon chapter of the Kenya Red Cross, says 30,000 people fled
their homes.
Cheptai said the army began pursuing members of the Sabaot Land
Defense Force on Sunday, bombing several villages in the Mount
Elgon area where militants were believed hiding.
Red Cross officials in Nairobi were challenging the 30,000 figure,
saying they have not yet assessed the numbers fleeing.
Local lawmaker Fred Kapondi says people are fleeing "aerial
bombing and harassment from the army." Mohamud Birik, the local
district commissioner, denies the army is targeting villagers.
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