Two dozen people killled in gang war

Fighting erupted between a notorious criminal gang and residents of the town of Karatina in central Kenya on 21 April 2009. Police officers stated that at least 24 people were killed and many more injured in the clashes. The fighting began when members of the Mungiki criminal gang attempted to force residents out of Karatina in a complex intimidation and extortion bid. Residents reportedly armed themselves and fought back in open street battles with the criminals. Authorities stated that they arrested 37 people in connection with the violence and confiscated a large cache of weapons.