The security situation in Turkana remains tense following a deadly attack by Ethiopian gunmen that claimed the lives of at least 20 fishermen along River Omo on February 22. The attack, which also left 22 people missing and presumed dead, has sparked urgent security responses from both Kenyan and Ethiopian authorities.
Security teams in Turkana have successfully recovered 15 boats, a motorbike, and a firearm stolen during the raid on a local village. The recovered items were handed over to Kenyan authorities by their Ethiopian counterparts after a security meeting in the Lopemkat area, Ethiopia. The firearm, which belonged to a member of the National Police Reserve (NPR), had been taken during the brutal assault.
In an effort to facilitate the search and possible retrieval of bodies, a Kenyan security delegation visited Ethiopia and provided body bags for collection in case any victims are located. Meanwhile, six Desanach individuals who had been caught up in the attack were rescued and safely returned to Ethiopia by security forces.
Authorities from both nations convened a peace meeting in the Lotiira area on Sunday to restore normalcy in the border region. This was followed by a visit from Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, to the Todonyang area on Monday, where he assured locals of ongoing efforts to resolve the situation.
“I know it is painful to remain here with more than 20 of your people still unaccounted for. We are doing all we can to solve this matter,” Murkomen stated. He further ordered increased security personnel deployment along River Omo to intensify the search for the missing individuals.
As part of measures to strengthen local security, Murkomen announced that all NPR members in the area would receive new kits and double allowances to enhance their capacity to respond to threats. Additionally, plans are underway to establish an official border post to better regulate cross-border movements.
The attack is believed to be part of an ongoing cycle of retaliatory violence in the region. Prior to the fishermen’s massacre, three Ethiopians were killed in a similar attack, which was reportedly in revenge for the fatal shooting of a 24-year-old herder, Kai Ebu, in Merikuka village. His body was found with a gunshot wound to the head, and local sources indicate that raiders from Ethiopia were behind the killing.
Multi-agency security operations have since been launched along the Kenya-Ethiopia border to curb further violence and prevent retaliatory attacks. The government has also extended security operations to cover other counties affected by cross-border raids.
The situation remains volatile as authorities continue their search-and-rescue mission for the missing fishermen while working towards lasting peace in the troubled region.
