Africa

Kenya's president deploys military to quell drought violence

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson talks to British soldiers at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK), in Ole Naishu near Nanyuki, in Kenya Friday, March 17, 2017. Johnson is later expected to hold bilateral talks in the capital Nairobi. (Thomas Mukoya/Pool via AP) (The Associated Press)

Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson talks to British soldiers at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK), in Ole Naishu near Nanyuki, in Kenya Friday, March 17, 2017. Johnson is later expected to hold bilateral talks in the capital Nairobi. (Thomas Mukoya/Pool via AP) (The Associated Press)

Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, left, awards a Long Service and Good Conduct (LSGC) medal to Mohamed Shan at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK), in Ole Naishu near Nanyuki, in Kenya Friday, March 17, 2017. Johnson is later expected to hold bilateral talks in the capital Nairobi. (Thomas Mukoya/Pool via AP) (The Associated Press)

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered the military to deploy to the volatile counties of Baringo and Laikipia to calm deadly violence fueled by drought.

Kenyatta announced Friday that as chairman of the National Security Council he has authorized the immediate deployment of the Kenya Defense Forces to support police in operations there.

At least 21 people have died in fighting between herders in Baringo county since early February. Thirteen people were killed this week. And in Laikipia county, a British farmer was killed by herders invading ranches in search of pasture and water.

Kenya has declared a national disaster because of the drought that affects about half of the counties in this East African nation.