Multiagency search team formed following Kenya-Ethiopia border clash

The Kenya Red Cross announced on Monday that it has collaborated with the Ethiopian Red Cross and is working with both the Kenyan and Ethiopian governments to conduct a search and recovery operation along the Kenya-Ethiopia border. This follows a deadly cross-border attack in the Kenyan town of Todonyang, where 20 people are still missing.

Paul Jelinga, chairperson of the Turkana County Red Cross, said Kenya Red Cross has deployed a fiberglass boat and divers to assist in the ongoing rescue operation. He noted that the operation had been hampered by a lack of resources and security challenges in the Ethiopian area.

"The boat and the divers will assist in our rescue and recovery efforts. Since the attack, we have only managed to retrieve two bodies. The Kenya Red Cross continues to support the Todonyang community with mental health and psychosocial support services following the tragic Lake Turkana attacks on 22nd February," Jelinga said.

"We have set up an information center for families of missing persons and, alongside the Kenya Coast Guard, are actively involved in search and recovery efforts. We are also working with the Ethiopian Red Cross to reunite families through restoring family links services. So far, eight people have been rescued from the troubled waters and reunited with their families," he added.

In response to the conflict, security and government officials from Kenya and Ethiopia have initiated peace talks between the Daasanach community of Ethiopia and the Turkana community of Kenya to prevent further violence. Jeremiah Lomorukai, Turkana County governor, said in a statement that they are working with other agencies to quickly assist the affected families and ensure the injured receive proper medical care.

"We are working to ensure that security is enhanced in the region and we will work with all stakeholders to restore calm and create an environment where our people can safely return to their livelihoods without fear," Lomorukai said.

Kipchumba Murkomen, Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, confirmed that after diplomatic discussions in Nairobi between Kenyan and Ethiopian officials last week, Kenyan officials were granted access to the attack site as part of the ongoing search mission. He assured the public that the Kenyan government is making every effort to account for all missing persons while cooperating with the Ethiopian government to restore normalcy.

The conflict began when a group of Kenyan fishermen, who were on a routine fishing trip in Lake Turkana, were attacked by suspected Daasanach militia from Ethiopia. Local residents reported that heavily armed Daasanach militia ambushed the fishermen and indiscriminately sprayed bullets. The attack is believed to be a retaliatory strike after three Daasanach fishermen?were killed in Ethiopia earlier.

otiato@chinadaily.com.cn