Islam Times - Kenya to send army forces to north over attack on police

Islam Times - Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki has ordered the deployment of army forces to the troubled northern part of the country, where a group of police officers were recently killed by armed men.

Kenya’s National Security Council, chaired by Kibaki, made the announcement on Tuesday and said the move is aimed at supporting police in “apprehending the bandits and recovering stolen animals and arms.”

Kenyan police said on November 10 a total of 42 officers were attacked and killed while looking for cattle robbers in Baragoi, a dry northern region largely inhabited by nomad communities.

The cattle thieves were suspected of killing 13 people in a raid on October 30.

“The council regretted and condemned the heinous act of killing law enforcement officers,” the National Security Council statement said.

“Everything will be done to ensure the culprits are apprehended and dealt with in accordance with the law.”

The National Security Council added authorities would work for “peace, reconciliation and disarmament” in the area.

Cattle theft and clashes between robbers and owners claim scores of lives every year in Kenya, but it is uncommon for police officers to come under attack.