20110806
Reuters
ISIOLO, Kenya (Reuters) - Ethiopian raiders crossed into the northern Kenyan region of Turkana, killed eight women and stole cattle, a senior administration official said on Friday.

Rift Valley Provincial Commissioner Osman Warfa told Reuters the incident occurred in Todonyang, the scene of another attack in May by raiders from Merille tribe -- also known as the Dassenech -- that killed at least 19 people.

"It is sad the Merille raiders have yet again attacked Kenyan villagers in Turkana at around 2pm (1100 GMT) today. Eight women were shot dead, two men were injured while 200 heads of livestock have been taken by the raiders," he said by phone.

"A team of extra security personnel sent to back those at Todonyang area launched an immediate operation. I am optimistic the livestock will be recovered. The Ethiopian security team have also been alerted about the raid and they are helping."

Cattle rustling and clashes over grazing land and access to water are relatively common in the region, and often escalate into tit-for-tat raids when left unchecked.

Turkana is among the areas hardest hit by drought in Kenya, with the government saying that the number of Kenyans expected to need food aid will rise to 3.5 million by September from about 2.4 million at present.