Red Cross: 30,000 People Flee Homes After Army Operation in Western Kenya

KITALE, Kenya – A Red Cross official says up to 30,000 people have fled their homes because of an army operation in western Kenya.

The official says the army on Sunday began pursuing members of a group linked to bloody clashes over land.

Ochiemo Cheptai of the Kenya Red Cross says the army bombed several villages in the Mount Elgon area where group members are believed to be hiding.

Local lawmaker Fred Kapondi says the army is targeting civilians in villages instead of pursuing the militiamen in their forest hideouts. But Mohamud Birik, the local district commissioner, denies that claim.