Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a statement following a deadly attack that occurred at the Kenya-Ethiopia border.
In what was a harrowing turn of events, a conflict between the Turkana and Dasanach fishermen at Lopemukat common waters along the Kenya-Ethiopia border left at least 20 dead and several others missing.
While addressing the incident on Sunday, Murkomen revealed that security had been heightened at the Kenya-Ethiopia border, with efforts to restore calm in the area underway.
"The Government has deployed additional security along the Kenya-Ethiopia border following last evening's incident involving Kenyan citizens and Dassanech community members of Ethiopia in Lopeimukat area," Murkomen said.
"The Inspector General of Police has been leading efforts to contain the situation and calm has returned to the area. We're also engaging the Government of Ethiopia in a bid to broker peace between the two communities. We will do everything possible to keep our people safe at all times."
The National Police Service (NPS) also issued a stern warning to local communities in Turkana against engaging in retaliatory attacks, adding that they were verifying the reports in collaboration with Ethiopian authorities.
"Earlier today, the National Police Service received information regarding an alleged attack between Turkana and Dasanach fishermen Lopemukat common waters. The Turkana security team, in collaboration with Ethiopian authorities, is on the ground to verify the reports and take necessary action in accordance with the law," the statement read.
The NPS added, “The National Police Service urges the affected communities to remain calm and refrain from any actions that may escalate the situation,” the statement read, emphasizing the importance of law and order."
The attack is believed to have taken place on the evening of Saturday, February 22, near River Omo. According to reports, five boats were ambushed, leading to the deaths of everyone on board.
Heavily armed Ethiopian Dassanech militia, who were spotted by sources privy to security, have been blamed for the attack.
While the motives behind the attack remain unclear, several sources in Turkana are adamant it is most likely a retaliatory attack from Dassanech militia after three of their own were reportedly killed earlier on Saturday.
Earlier, Turkana North Member of Parliament Ekwon Nabuin confirmed the incident, describing the situation as "very bad".
''The situation is extremely bad, rescuers must move fast to secure our people. The massacre is happening on Kenyan soil which is occupied by well-armed militias (Dassanech) Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen,'' he said.
