24 dead in tribal clashes in Kenya, lawmaker says

A Kenyan lawmaker says clashes between tribes in northern Kenya have killed 24 people and wounded dozens.

A Kenyan lawmaker says clashes between tribes in northern Kenya have killed 24 people and wounded dozens.

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Raphael Letimao said clashes between the Samburu and Pokot tribes began early today. The tribes have been clashing over land and water for years, but Kenya's scorching drought has exacerbated tensions. Arid northern Kenya has been hit especially hard this year.

Letimao said many of the victims were women and children.

Fighting between nomadic tribes in the semiarid region that encompasses northern Kenya, Uganda, southern Sudan and Ethiopia is common.

But the raids have become increasingly lethal as tribal warriors have acquired modern weapons. Arms have flooded the region following conflicts in Uganda, Sudan and Somalia.