A multi-agency security operation, dubbed Operation Ondoa Jangili, was launched on February 3 in Marsabit County, targeting the notorious Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) militia that has been wreaking havoc along the Kenya-Ethiopia border. The operation, which primarily focuses on the Sololo and Merti sub-counties, has seen the recovery of a range of weapons, ammunition, communication equipment, and illegal substances.
The security team seized items including firearms, walkie-talkies, camera stands, a solar panel, a generator, and marijuana. These items are believed to have been used by the OLA to facilitate their illicit activities, which have caused immense suffering for local communities. The OLA, a militia group active in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region, has been accused of infiltrating Kenya’s Borana community, capitalizing on cultural and familial ties to blend into the population and carry out criminal activities.
The operation comes after both Kenya and Ethiopia raised concerns about the OLA’s involvement in crimes along the shared border. President William Ruto held discussions with Ethiopia’s Director General of the National Intelligence Security Service, Redwan Hussien, and Kenya’s Director General of National Intelligence Service, Noordin Haji, to address the growing security threat posed by the group. The meeting, held at State House Nairobi, led to the coordination of Operation Ondoa Jangili.
Deputy Inspector General of Administration Police, Gilbert Masengeli, and the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Mohamed Amin, officially launched the operation. The aim is to dismantle criminal networks involved in arms trafficking, human trafficking, illegal mining, and violence, which have been destabilizing the region. The operation is also targeting gangs that instigate tribal conflicts, engage in kidnappings for ransom, and exploit the region’s mining activities.
Despite the operation’s early successes, including the seizure of illegal items, no arrests have been made so far. The operation is set to continue, with a particular focus on Sololo, Moyale, North Horr, and Merti Sub-counties, which have been hotspots for criminal activity. Police spokesman Michael Muchiri assured the public that the security forces are committed to restoring peace and safeguarding lives and property in the region.
As the operation unfolds, the government has declared the area a security zone to combat gang violence and human trafficking, especially targeting gold mining sites where dangerous clashes have led to fatalities. Local communities have been urged to cooperate with security teams and remain calm, as authorities work to pacify the region.
