Facebook Twitter Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
Rescue Efforts Continue in Todonyang as Tensions Rise Along the Kenya-Ethiopia Border
More than 20 people from Todonyang in Turkana County are still missing a week after a violent attack on fishermen along the Kenya-Ethiopia border.
The Kenya Red Cross has been leading a search and rescue operation, and so far, eight people have been found alive. These survivors were hiding in the reeds of Lake Turkana, too scared to come out after the attack. The rescue team is still looking for more missing people using expert divers and specialized boats. Families of the missing individuals are growing increasingly anxious as they await news on their loved ones.
Venant Ndighila, who is in charge of disaster management at the Kenya Red Cross, said that families are anxiously waiting for news about their loved ones. The search is being carried out by a team that includes the Kenya Red Cross, the Kenya Maritime Authority, and the Kenya Coast Guard. They are working together to comb through the waters and surrounding areas in hopes of finding more survivors or recovering bodies.
The Kenya Red Cross has also been working closely with the Ethiopian Red Cross to assist in the operation. They have urged for more humanitarian aid to help the affected families and communities. Many people in the area have been displaced due to the violence, and they are in need of food, shelter, and medical support. Some of the rescued victims have required medical attention due to injuries and trauma sustained during the attack and their time in hiding.
Currently, fishermen in Todonyang are afraid to go back to the water because of the tension in the area. The attack has left many feeling unsafe, and without fishing, their main source of livelihood is threatened. Many families rely on fishing to provide for themselves, and the disruption has worsened the humanitarian situation in the region. The community remains on high alert, with some residents choosing to leave the area in search of safer places to stay.
Three days ago, Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, confirmed that two bodies had been recovered from the lake. He visited the area and promised long-term solutions to prevent such attacks in the future. Murkomen said that the government plans to register people living along the border to improve security and keep track of movements in and out of Kenya. He assured the community that efforts would be made to prevent future conflicts and improve relations between the Turkana and Dassanech communities.
“I want to assure you that we are taking this matter seriously. Since it falls under my ministry, I will ensure that plans are put in place to open a border post here. This way, we will know who is entering and leaving Kenya,” said Murkomen. His visit brought some hope to the residents, but many remain skeptical about whether real change will happen.
The search and recovery efforts are ongoing. Reports suggest that the attack in Todonyang was a revenge mission following the killing of three Dassanech fishermen in a dispute over fishing waters along the Kenya-Ethiopia border. The cycle of violence between the two communities has been ongoing for years, often escalating due to disputes over resources such as fishing grounds and grazing land. Leaders from both communities have called for peace, but tensions remain high.
The Kenya Red Cross has been working with its Ethiopian counterpart to ease tensions and assist affected families. They are also engaging the community in discussions on how to prevent future violence. The humanitarian crisis has put pressure on aid organizations and the government to provide more assistance to those affected by the attack.
The government has also provided food aid to 100 households, but there is still a need for more support to help those affected by the attack. Many families have lost their homes, belongings, and sources of income. There is a growing call for increased security presence in the area to prevent further attacks and ensure that residents feel safe enough to return to their daily activities.
As the situation continues to unfold, the residents of Todonyang remain hopeful that peace will be restored and that they will receive the necessary support to rebuild their lives. However, the need for long-term solutions remains urgent to prevent further loss of life and suffering in the region.