Tribesmen launched new attacks early Tuesday in Kenya's southeastern Tana River area, torching houses and killing at least three police officers, police sources said.

"Three people have been killed and six others have been wounded seriously," a senior police officer told AFP.

Officers said armed groups were burning houses and shooting indiscriminately in the Semikaro area.

"Things are not very good there, there has been a problem there since early morning but we are handling it," regional police chief Aggrey Adoli said.

"Initial reports indicate that four villages were attacked. The attackers are still in the area. Police have been outnumbered and have retreated and are waiting for reinforcements," said Caleb Kilunde, a Red Cross official in the area.

An attack Monday by tribesmen on a rival community in the nearby Tarassa area sparked clashes that killed 38 people, including several police.