NAIROBI, Kenya — In response to recent violence, Kenya has significantly heightened security measures along its border with Ethiopia. This move follows an incident involving armed assailants, which the authorities have identified as part of ongoing cross-border clashes. As a result, twenty individuals have been reported missing.
The Interior Minister emphasized on Monday that the Kenyan government is collaborating closely with Ethiopian officials to locate these missing people.
On Saturday, a skirmish erupted at the Omo River, where Ethiopian fishermen clashed with their Kenyan counterparts, as revealed by Turkana County’s governor, Jeremiah Lomorukai, on Sunday. Reports from local sources indicate that 15 fishing boats have disappeared amidst the chaos.
Both the Turkana community from Kenya and the Dassanech community from Ethiopia are known to engage in shared economic pursuits, such as fishing and pastoralism. Historically, this region has witnessed incidents of livestock raids affecting neighboring villages. Although Kenya had increased the number of police reservists in the border area to counter these issues, the attackers frequently evade capture by retreating into Ethiopian territory.
Minister Kipchumba Murkomen announced plans for Kenya to set up an official border post to monitor and scrutinize everyone who crosses into the country. This is seen as part of broader efforts to enhance the security and stability of the region.
