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Mob burns 11 Kenyans accused of being witches
Wed 21 May 2008, 15:21 GMT
(adds residents)
NAIROBI, May 21 (Reuters) - A mob has burned to death at least 11 people accused of witchcraft in an area of west Kenya were traditional beliefs run deep, police said on Wednesday.
"Their houses were torched. Eight women and three men suspected of being witches died," Kenya's deputy police spokesman Charles Owino said.
Kisii region residents confirmed the killings, saying an enraged crowd had gone house-to-house during the night, using a list of supposed witches in the region.
"They burned them alive in their homes," one resident said, asking not to be named.
Police said they had drafted extra personnel into the area to prevent a spiral of revenge attacks.
Owino said almost all the victims were elderly Kenyans, aged between 70 and 90, although one was nearer 40.
Wed 21 May 2008, 15:21 GMT
(adds residents)
NAIROBI, May 21 (Reuters) - A mob has burned to death at least 11 people accused of witchcraft in an area of west Kenya were traditional beliefs run deep, police said on Wednesday.
"Their houses were torched. Eight women and three men suspected of being witches died," Kenya's deputy police spokesman Charles Owino said.
Kisii region residents confirmed the killings, saying an enraged crowd had gone house-to-house during the night, using a list of supposed witches in the region.
"They burned them alive in their homes," one resident said, asking not to be named.
Police said they had drafted extra personnel into the area to prevent a spiral of revenge attacks.
Owino said almost all the victims were elderly Kenyans, aged between 70 and 90, although one was nearer 40.
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