3 Arrested for Kenya-Ethiopia Border Attacks
Four individuals connected to the recent distinct incidents in the Bales-Saru and Dillo areas have been apprehended by the authorities in Dukana, a border town between Kenya and Ethiopia. This action took place within the North Horr Constituency of Marsabit County.
The assaults resulted in the deaths of four individuals – three citizens from Ethiopia and a 15-year-old from Kenya. This prompted a sequence of peace gatherings organized by peace advocates and community leaders.
The security staff is also anticipated to submit the four recovered firearms from the mission for ballistic testing.
Around seven days prior, attackers presumed to originate from Dillo in Ethiopia assaulted a Kenyan adolescent in Bales-Saru. This led to counter-attacks in response, resulting in the death of three additional individuals, as well as the theft of goats and donkeys.
Dukana’s Deputy County Commissioner, Charo Katana, mentioned that the individuals under suspicion are cooperating with the authorities in the effort to apprehend additional individuals thought to be associated with the group that is inciting conflict between the Gabra and Borana communities.
“These three individuals we are detaining are helping us with information to search for their colleagues in crime as we also undertake more investigations to ascertain the intention behind the unwarranted attacks leading to deaths and theft,” said Mr. Katana.
At a peace gathering where security organizations from Kenya and Ethiopia were present, the Deputy Commissioner of County (DCC) emphasized the commitment of the appropriate authorities to establish peace between the two pastoralist groups and bring back normal conditions.
These collaborative security missions have resulted in the retrieval of 556 goats out of the 900 that were stolen, along with an additional 44 donkeys compared to the 51 that were taken during the assaults.
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“We have managed to recover some animals stolen and still our officers are searching for the remaining and returning them to the owners,” Mr. Katana said.
The DCC, nonetheless, urged the communities to accurately document the precise count of stolen livestock.
“Let us be truthful when recording statements on the number of animals driven away during such attacks. Initially, we were told the figure was at 1,700 but later learned it was 900,” he stated.
He also restated the unified assistance offered by important figures promoting peace and local leaders in collaboration with the Marsabit county government.
The local authorities equally motivated political representatives from both nations to participate in the peace negotiations.
Chief Officer Tache Elema, speaking on behalf of the county Department of cohesion, urged the two communities to adopt open communication as a means to achieve peace, affection, and togetherness.
“We are one people and we really ought to share our little available resources and be our brother’s keepers,” said Elema.
“I assure both representatives of Gabra and Borana communities that we will not tire to walk together in this journey.”
The feelings of the community elders were reiterated, highlighting the importance of achieving enduring tranquility to facilitate significant progress among the pastoralist populations residing along the border of Kenya and Ethiopia.
3 Arrested for Kenya-Ethiopia Border Attacks
