Official: 24 dead in fight for resources in Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya – An official says 24 people have died in a remote region in northern Kenya after two communities clashed over resources.

Rift Valley Provincial Commissioner Osman Warfa said Tuesday that Monday's fighting was caused by disputes over boundaries, scarce water resources and herding ground for cattle owned by the communities that live near the border between Kenya and Ethiopia.

He said members of the Merille community from Ethiopia shot and killed an elder of the Turkana community from Kenya, sparking a series of revenge attacks. Warfa says 20 Turkana and four Merille men were shot dead.

Guns have become readily available in Kenya's border regions, since neighboring countries have been involved in conflicts.