Turkana massacre: At least 20 killed, scores missing in Kenya-Ethiopia border attack

At least 20 people were killed, and several others injured in what is believed to be a militia assault, in a shocking cross-border attack at the volatile Todonyang region on the Kenya-Ethiopia border.

Heavily armed assailants reportedly ambushed fishermen on Lake Turkana, indiscriminately opening fire.

The Interior Ministry confirmed the incident but did not provide further details.

Interior Principal Secretary, Raymond Omollo, addressing the media in Mukuyuni, Makueni County, did not disclose the exact number of casualties, but assured the public that police patrols along the border had been intensified amid escalating tensions. 

A local police reservist said they had counted at least 20 bodies, while many people remained unaccounted for. Reports suggest the death toll could be higher.

• .

  Keep Reading

• 
  Police urge calm in Turkana after deadly attack

A source who spoke to The Standard indicated that the number of fatalities could exceed what has been reported.

“Efforts to conduct further rescue and recovery operations are being hampered by fuel shortages in Todonyang and the onset of darkness. We appeal to volunteers to provide petrol to support response efforts,” said a security official.

A local police reservist suggested the attack may have been a revenge mission following the killing of three Dasanach fishermen last week by a suspected bandit wanted by security agencies for multiple murders along Lake Turkana.

On Saturday, a dispute reportedly erupted between Turkana and Ethiopian fishermen over a fishing net.

“Turkana fishermen, while going to check their nets, found militia members removing them. A fight broke out, leading to the deaths of three Ethiopian fishermen. In response, a large group from the Merile side launched an attack on the Turkana village,” the source explained.

A local marine security officer, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, confirmed that fuel shortages in Todonyang had hampered rescue and recovery operations.

County Executive for Health Joseph Esekon Epem said two patients had been treated—one with soft tissue injuries from physical assault was discharged, while another with a deep scalp cut caused by a sharp object was admitted for observation.

“Currently, no gunshot injuries have been reported, but we expect more casualties later,” Dr. Epem said.

Dr. Epem further stated that some reports indicated an unknown number of casualties remained at the scene and that police had been informed. So far, 22 fishermen are reportedly missing. Sixteen boats have been accounted for, but the missing fishermen’s fate remains unknown.

Stranded at the border

Tension remains high as local pastoralists threaten retaliation, though security forces are working to prevent further violence.

“The situation is tense. We are stranded at the border point with security personnel. We cannot access the bodies since fighting erupted shortly after we tried to cross to the other side of the border,”Turkana Professional Association Secretary-General, Charles Eris

He added that the bodies of the victims were dumped in Lake Turkana by the assailants. Eris said that so far, 12 survivors, including four youths, are being interrogated by security teams over the incident.

Efforts to retrieve bodies have proved futile as the militia turned hostile and fired back at Kenyan security forces. Two Merile children rescued by Kenyan security personnel could not be handed over to their families after the militia turned hostile.

The Ministry of Health emergency response team from Kibish Sub-County and the Kenya Red Cross team are stationed at the Todonyang Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) camp to respond to any medical emergency.

Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said authorities had received reports of a violent clash between Turkana and Dasanach fishermen at Lopemukat common waters along the Kenya-Ethiopia border.

Nyaga added that the Turkana County security team was working with Ethiopian authorities to verify the details and take necessary action.

Rift Valley Regional Police Commander, Jasper Ombati, said security forces had been deployed to the area, acknowledging that tensions remained high. “The situation is tense, but we are making progress. We shall provide updates as soon as possible,” Ombati stated.

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen said they are working with the Kenya Defence Forces to resolve the border issue, adding that the challenges facing the communities will be addressed.

Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai condemned the incident and called on the Kenyan and Ethiopian governments to work together and investigate the circumstances that led to the killings.

Turkana North legislator Paul Ekwom Nabuin regretted the incident.

Speaking to The Standard on the phone, Nabuin termed the attack unfortunate and called on the Ministry of Interior to act swiftly to prevent further deaths. “What we are witnessing now is a massacre of our people by the militia. We appeal to the security organs to move swiftly to forestall further attacks,” Nabuin said.