The government has resorted to using local leaders to negotiate the return of five chiefs who were abducted by Al Shabaab militants along the Elwak-Wargadud-Mandera in Mandera County on February 3.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen yesterday said the security agencies were facing challenges in rescuing the administrators and also in the recovery of the bodies of Kenyans who were killed on Saturday evening in Turkana County.

CS Murkomen said only two bodies have been recovered in an ongoing joint search operation in Todonyang’, where more than 20 Kenyans were reported missing following the attacks at the Kenya-Ethiopia border.

The teams, according to Murkomen, are facing significant challenges, including the geographical complexity of Lake Turkana, much of which lies in Ethiopian territory.

“More than 20 individuals remain unaccounted for, and the government has mobilized resources, including diplomatic channels, to address the crisis and ensure the safe return of missing persons,” the CS said.

Local contacts

He also affirmed that the government had adopted the strategy of using local contacts to facilitate their release from Al Shabaab militants who are believed to have taken them to Jilib.

The abducted officials have been identified as Hassan Kulmia (Chief Wargadud East location), Mohamed Hache (Chief Chachabole location), Adaw Mohamed (Chief Wargadud Town Location), Abdi Suraw (Chief Quramathow Location) and Ibrahim Gabow (assistant chief Wargadud East Sub-Location).

The attacks in Todonyang’ on Saturday evening saw an unconfirmed number of people killed in an ambush by suspected militia from Ethiopia’s Dassanech community.

Heavily armed assailants indiscriminately fired on Turkana fishermen who were fishing in Lake Turkana near River Omo.

Authorities are still working to determine the total number of casualties, though some estimates suggest the toll could exceed a dozen.

On Sunday afternoon, the National Police Service announced it was investigating “an alleged clash between Turkana and Dassanech fishermen at Lopemukat Common Waters” along the border. CS Murkomen acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating that “some Kenyans were harmed.”

Collaborations with Addis

“Some of our citizens remain unaccounted for, and we are collaborating with the Ethiopian government and the Kenya Defence Forces to resolve this border issue. There should be no cause for alarm—calm has returned to the area,” Murkomen assured.

Some reports suggest the attack was a retaliatory response after suspected Turkana bandits allegedly shot and killed Dassanech fishermen from Ethiopia near River Omo on Saturday morning.

The attackers also stole a firearm, fifteen boats and a motorcycle, and 19 of the missing 22 Kenyans have so far been identified.

“A Fabrique Nationale (FN) gun belonging to the National Police Reservists (NPR) was also seized by the Desanach. Six Desanach individuals were rescued by security forces and returned to the Ethiopian side,” a report states.

The Ethiopians also injured several other Kenyans, according to witnesses. One of the injured local residents has been identified as Ereng Emuria who was taken to Lowerangak Health Centre, according to the officials.

Following the attack, authorities from both Kenya and Ethiopia held a peace meeting in Lotiira to restore normalcy.

The missing persons have been identified as Aburu Lopii, Lokupu Lopii, Loyan, Apau, keria Lochamba, Achuta Ekale, Lokwi Erupe, Bwagamae, Ekibor Akeru, Emon Eren, Ewoi, Lotir Lapur, Esokon Ekale, and Edapal Kamkata.Others are Sesamir, Ekiru Lomeyu, Etabo, Jacob, Ekwom, and three other unknown individuals.

The county security team from Kenya also held a joint meeting with the Deputy Chief Administrator in charge of security from Ethiopia at Lopemkat in Ethiopia.

The Kenyan authorities have handed over body bags to their Ethiopian counterparts for collection of the bodies if found.

During the attack, heavily armed Dassanech militia from Ethiopia ambushed and indiscriminately sprayed bullets at Turkana fishermen fishing in Lake Turkana near River Omo.