Search for missing Kenyan fishermen in Todonyang attack ongoing

The search and rescue for Kenyan fishermen reported missing after the Todonyang attack by the Dassanach community from Ethiopia is still on.

Interior and National Administration CS Kipchumba Murkomen says the state is not able to ascertain the exact number of fatalities because the search hasn’t been closed.

“Legally, the procedure requires that there is actual recovery. Some reports indicate some of those reported dead are alive in Ethiopia, but the truth is, it has taken too long,”said the CS.

He noted that those affected were not only the local community but also businesspeople from Lodwar, Kitale, Kibish, and other areas.

“We will continue the search and rescue to account for all those reported missing. The process has been hampered by budget constraints,” said Murkomen.

The CS was responding to media queries after a security briefing in Lodwar at the start of a three-day tour of Turkana, West Pokot, and Samburu counties under the Jukwaa la Usalama initiative.

“This security situation will be best handled by a multi-agency team because it’s unique and complex. There are those fishing, pastoralist raring livestock, and others undertaking other economic activities across the porous border.”

The CS also spoke of efforts to restore lasting peace to the region with local administrators and their Ethiopian counterparts leading the initiative.

“A lot is ongoing in the area to bring the bordering communities together so they can coexist,” said Todonyang Chief Mustapha Kebo.

The CS urged the local community to work closely with the KDF and NPS to bring back normalcy.

“It was a complex and dynamic tragedy in the lake. There could be those who survived and crossed over to the other side. A multi-agency team will be deployed to initiate recovery and support systems.”