One more killed by Ethiopian militia
Photo | Correspondent
Police and residents of Todonyang in Turkana load bodies of victims of attacks by Merille militias from Ethiopia onto a lorry for burial on August 06, 2011.
What you need to know:
- The gunmen killed 13 Kenyans fishing on the shores of Lake Turkana just two days ago
Another Kenyan has been killed and animals stolen by bandits suspected to be from Ethiopia, two days after the militia executed 13 other Kenyans.
The herdsman was shot dead when suspected Nyang’atom raiders attacked a village at Kibish on the Kenya-Ethiopia border, neighbouring Todonyang’ where 13 members of the Turkana community were killed last week by Merille bandits from Ethiopia while on a fishing expedition on the shores of Lake Turkana.
According to villagers interviewed the raiders also made away with over 300 cattle during the Saturday attack.
Senior security personnel led by Administration Police commandant Kinuthia Mbugua and Rift Valley Police boss Francis Munyambu on Sunday toured Todonyang and Kibish for the second consecutive day following the two attacks.
Poor communication
None of the senior officers could be reached for comment due to poor communication network from Todonyang and Kibish areas.
According to police sources, the 13 Kenyans, who included women and children, were on a fishing expedition when they were attacked by the Merille militias.
The victims were buried in a mass grave at the Todonyang Catholic parish compound on Saturday.
The event was conducted by the Kenya Red Cross Society Turkana regional officials and Catholic Church members.
A contingent of security personnel has been deployed in Todonyang to contain the rising tension on the border following the renewed killings.
More than 30 Kenyans were killed in June in a revenge attack by Merille militia from Ethiopia.
The attack occurred after four Merille fishermen were killed on the shore of Lake Turkana while on a fishing expedition.
Residents have called on the government to beef up security in the area and resolve the cattle rustling and banditry menace on the Kenya-Ethiopia border.
Mr Ekwam Ikaru said he lost fishing gear and household items following the attack.
“It is high time the government guarantees security to its people and property by acting tough against such external aggression,” said another resident, Mr Ewoi Akoru.
