More than 20 fishermen killed in Lake Turkana attack

More than 20 fishermen have been killed at the Todonyang border point along Lake Turkana by suspected Dassanech militia from neighbouring Ethiopia.

The incident occurred on Saturday at around 5 p.m. at Lopeimukat and Natira along the Kenya-Ethiopia border near River Omo.

A source privy to security reported that dozens of heavily armed Ethiopian Dassanech militia ambushed fishermen while they were fishing in Lake Turkana and indiscriminately sprayed them with bullets.

A local police reservist confirmed that the incident could be linked to a retaliatory attack after a notorious bandit, wanted by security agencies for a spate of murders along Lake Turkana, shot dead three Dassanech fishermen in Lake Turkana on Saturday morning.

A local reservist said they counted at least 20 bodies on the ground while a significant number of casualties had not been traced.

Reports indicate that the death toll could be higher as some missing fishermen were still being located at the scene.

Turkana County Commissioner Julius Kavita confirmed the incident but said they were moving to the ground to verify more facts.

“We are on our way to the ground. I will give details of the incident in the course of the day once I arrive,” Kavita told The Standard by phone.

According to a survivor, five boats belonging to Kenyan fishermen on a fishing expedition were attacked, with all on board reportedly massacred in the ambush on Lake Turkana.

The assailants reportedly seized boats and fishing gear belonging to the fishermen.

There were unconfirmed reports that some survivors had been rescued and were under the protection of the Lopeimukat local chief, awaiting evacuation by Kenyan security personnel.

However, by Saturday evening, at least nine individuals were still trapped in the reeds, desperately sending distress calls.

A local marine security officer, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, said a lack of petrol for the speedboat in Todonyang had hampered rescue efforts and recovery operations.

“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 aid response efforts,” a security official said.

Turkana North legislator Paul Ekwom Nabuin regretted the incident.

Speaking to The Standard by phone, Nabuin termed the incident unfortunate and called on the Ministry of Interior to act swiftly to prevent more deaths.

“What we are witnessing now is a massacre of our people by the militia. We appeal to security organs to move swiftly to forestall further attacks,” Nabuin said.

The MP claimed that Ethiopian militia had occupied Kenyan land near Lake Turkana, where they continued to carry out atrocities on Kenyan fishermen and families.

“We are receiving disturbing reports of the killing of more than 20 fishermen in Todonyang area of Lake Turkana by the Dassanech of Ethiopia. The numbers could be higher. The situation is extremely bad. Rescuers must move fast to secure our people,” the MP stated.

The legislator regretted that the massacre was happening on Kenyan soil, which he said was occupied by well-armed Ethiopian militias.

However, an eyewitness said dozens of casualties were being rushed to Lowarengak Health Centre for treatment.

County Executive for Health Dr 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 in the day. Our teams on the ground are on standby to receive further casualties,” Dr Epem said.

Dr Epem further said some reports indicated an unknown number of casualties remained at the scene, and police had been informed.