News
Kenya steps up security at Sudan border
Kenya Soldiers at the the border. PHOTO/ FILE
Posted Sunday, October 18 2009 at 22:30
In Summary
- It was reported at the weekend that 16 Kenya Army personnel were killed by the Toposa raiders at the Nadapal Barracks on the Kenya-Sudan border.
- The Kenyan security team has denied claims that 16 Kenyan soldiers had been shot dead by the Toposa militiamen.
Kenya has stepped up security near its border with Sudan after reports of clashes between police and Toposa pastoralists.
The General Service Unit, Administration Police and regular police are said to have engaged a combined force of Toposa militia for the second day running on Sunday.
The fighting is reported to have taken place at Nadapal, five kilometres inside Kenya. Some Kenya Army personnel are also said to be on the ground to give backing in case they are issued with orders.
Scores of people have fled Nadapal area towards Lokichogio, some 25 kilometres away following the fight which began on Thursday.
The Kenyan security team, led by Lokitang police boss Ngonya Waigonya and Turkana West district officer Eric Wanyonyi, has denied claims that 16 Kenyan soldiers had been shot dead by the Toposa militiamen.
Mr Waigonya said the Kenya security forces have been involved in an operation to flush out criminals along the Nadapal-Lokichogio highway who have been terrorising motorists and local residents.
“There were exchange of fire between our security forces and the Toposa militia but no fatalities were reported on our side” said Mr Waigonya.
It was reported at the weekend that 16 Kenya Army personnel were killed by the Toposa raiders at the Nadapal Barracks on the Kenya-Sudan border.
Contested area
Nadapal has remained a contested area, with both countries claiming it. This has triggered frequent clashes.
According to Riam Riam peace network coordinator Joseph Elim, the Toposa established an army barracks near the Nadapal border point in order to give them full access to grass and water on the Kenyan side.
He said more than 10 people had been killed and more than 11,000 animals stolen in the last two months following attacks by Toposa raiders.
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Submitted by Hawaii13Posted October 20, 2009 03:04 AM
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Submitted by imkenyan418
Over $600 million spent on the military and we our soldiers still get killed by iliterate rebels. The tanks, the refirbished jets etc, is there something im missing here? Countries are busy cutting off chunks of the motherland(kenya) yet the government is not only quiet its busy playing petty politics. Plus, where are the generals in all of this??
Posted October 19, 2009 10:06 PM -
Submitted by MugambiEric
Elekiah! the photo is a file photo! which means it is taken in the past and under different circumstances... and theres no rust in the rifles - just the design of those particular G3 rifles... but I agree on one point... Nation should show photos that seem 'REAL'!
Posted October 19, 2009 07:16 PM -
Submitted by moses10
Defending the country from external threats is the work of the army and not policemen.And those two rifles look like they can jam any moment.
Posted October 19, 2009 06:08 PM -
Submitted by Elekiah
As far as I can see those to plice officers in Uniform are just posing for photos! I that what kenyans call stepped up border secirity defence, capable of facing seasoned Sudanses rebels turned government forces in disguise of tribesmen? You have got to be kidding me, everyone take a closer look at those two pathetic looking guys with rusted rifles!
Posted October 19, 2009 04:57 PM
RSS
@ ELEKIAH...you sound strange..first these two are NOT policemen BUT Kenya Army soldiers by virtue of the full combat uniform, canteen bags and the gun types and the bazooka....by the way those guns are NOT rusty and are more reliable than TOPOOSA's AK-47s..Learn about guns!