Dozens feared dead in Turkana bandit attack

Dozens were feared dead on Tuesday following an attack in Turkana by suspected Merille bandits from Ethiopia.

Although relief agencies put the number of those killed at 18, police said late yesterday that just five deaths had been confirmed.

Parliament was told by a local MP that 35 people had been killed, while other unofficial sources put the number of those dead as high as 40.

The victims were killed while taking a rest after a night-long fishing expedition at the source of Lake Turkana. The area of attack is about 170 kilometres from Lodwar town.

Speaking to the Nation, Lokichoggio Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) coordinator Peter Moru said two people escaped with serious injuries.

“The two were among 20 fishermen who had gone fishing at Todonyong fishing ground and were taking a rest before they were attacked at 5am,” Mr Moru said.

He said Todonyong is the source of Lake Turkana rich with tilapia and Nile Perch fish and is usually the source of conflict between the Turkana and the Merille.

Todonyang is also the tributary of River Omo which spills into Lake Turkana.