Kenyan authorities say 300 people have been detained during security operations this week in western Kenya, as government forces crack down on a suspected militia group in the Mount Elgon region.

Saturday is the sixth day of the government campaign to rout the Sabaot Land Defense Force. The militia is accused of killing at least 500 people in the past year in violence linked to land disputes.

At least three people are reported to have been killed during the security campaign in the past few days.

Local media say some civilians in Mount Elgon originally welcomed the operation, but now think security forces have been heavy-handed and reckless.

Journalists are barred from reporting from the scene.

One Kenyan reporter has said he was assaulted by security officers when he violated that order and reported from Mount Elgon.

The SLDF claims a government settlement plan in 2006 unfairly displaced some tribes. The violent clashes that have erupted since then have driven tens of thousands of people out of their homes.