The Monday attacks on two villages near Kitale are allegedly the work of the Sabaot Land Defense Force.

"The government is determined to end the menace once and for all, and we urge the residents to volunteer information that will aid this operation," Francis Mutie, a local administrator, told the BBC.

Five of the victims were trapped inside a burning house, four were shot and three decapitated. Another six people were injured, The Nation reported.

The SLDF orders local residents to support them with money and food and warns that "traitors" will be killed. The Sabaot, who live near Mount Elgon, are a sub-group of the Kalenjin tribe.