Turkana Ambush: Kenya Gains Access to Search for Missing Fishermen
Kenyan officials have secured access to the site of a deadly attack in Todonyang, along the Kenya-Ethiopia border, following high-level diplomatic discussions with Ethiopian authorities. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed the breakthrough on Tuesday, emphasizing the government’s commitment to locating missing persons and enhancing border security.
Search and Rescue Operations in Turkana
Murkomen announced that Ethiopia has granted full access to Kenyan search teams, now collaborating with Ethiopian counterparts to locate missing persons and recover 15 lost fishing boats. “Today, the Kenyan team, working with their Ethiopian counterparts, accessed the site of the incident and are actively searching for missing persons and 15 boats,” he stated.
The government reassures the public that all efforts are being made to account for the missing individuals while also working with Ethiopia to restore peace in the region. “We stand in solidarity with the families of those unaccounted for and urge calm. We will provide regular updates on the progress of the search and rescue operations,” Murkomen added.
Deadly Attack by Suspected Dassanech Militia
The attack occurred on February 22, 2025, when a group of Kenyan fishermen was carrying out routine fishing activities in Lake Turkana. Heavily armed assailants, believed to be Dassanech militia from Ethiopia, launched a violent ambush near River Omo, firing indiscriminately at the fishermen.
Murkomen pointed out that communication challenges on the Ethiopian side delayed the flow of information, causing the attack details to reach Kenyan authorities late at night. In response, security agencies in Turkana County acted swiftly to assess the extent of the attack. A dedicated reporting desk was established at the Todonyang GSU camp for residents to report missing persons.
Government Response and Strengthened Border Security
Murkomen, accompanied by key government officials, visited the affected region on Monday to evaluate the security situation firsthand. His delegation included East African Community Affairs and Regional Development CS Beatrice Askul, Turkana Senator James Lomenen, Turkana North MP Ekwom Nabuin, Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr. Abdi Hassan, GSU Commandant Ranson Lolmodooni, and Turkana County Commissioner Julius Kavita, among other high-ranking security officials.
Although the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed, multiple reports suggest that several individuals may have lost their lives in the attack. Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo confirmed that the attack took place near the border but occurred on Ethiopian territory.
The Kenyan government is actively engaging Ethiopian authorities to enhance security cooperation and protect residents in the border region. Authorities have assured the public that heightened security measures will be implemented to prevent future violence in Turkana and neighboring areas.
For the latest updates on the ongoing search and rescue operations, stay tuned for real-time news reports and official government statements.
In other news:Turkana-Ethiopia Border Tragedy: Over 30 Fishermen Killed in Deadly Attack
Turkana Ambush: Kenya Gains Access to Search for Missing Fishermen