29 officers killed in stolen-cattle search

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- At least 29 Kenyan police officers were killed by attackers in northern Kenya while trying to recover stolen cattle, a police spokesman said.

Three of the attackers also were killed, the spokesman said.,

The weekend attack in Baragoi raised fears among villagers of retaliation by police, the BBC reported Monday.

A Samburu County religious leader, who asked not to be identified, described the situation as "very, very tense."

He said heavily armed security personnel patrolled villages in the area.

"We fear the anger of these security people could fall on innocent civilians, as those who may have killed the policemen are nowhere now," the religious leader said.

He said more bodies may be found.

Villagers in the area often steal cattle from each other and clash over grazing rights, officials said.

An attack two weeks ago killed 12 people.