Over 20 people still missing after brutal attack on Turkana fishermen
Venant Ndighila, the head of disaster management operations at the Kenya Red Cross, said efforts to locate the missing persons are ongoing.
More than a week after a deadly attack on fisherfolk along the Kenya-Ethiopia border, over 20 people remain missing, with desperate families awaiting news of their loved ones.
The Kenya Red Cross, which has been leading search and rescue efforts, confirmed that eight people have so far been rescued from the troubled waters of Lake Turkana. The survivors were reportedly hiding in the reeds out of fear following the attack.
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According to Venant Ndighila, the head of disaster management operations at the Kenya Red Cross, efforts to locate the missing persons are ongoing.
“We have deployed expert divers on specialized boats as part of a multi-agency team comprising the Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Maritime Authority, and the Kenya Coast Guard. The operation remains active, and we are doing everything possible to bring closure to affected families,” Ndighila stated.
The attack, which has heightened tensions in Todonyang, is believed to have been a retaliatory act following the killing of three Dassanech fishermen in a long-standing dispute over fishing waters along the Kenya-Ethiopia border.
The situation has left the local community in distress, with fishing activities coming to a standstill due to fear of further violence.
“Our people are afraid to go back to the water. Fishing is our livelihood, but now we don’t know if it’s safe to return,” said John Ekuwam, a local fisherman.
In response to the crisis, the Kenya Red Cross has been collaborating with its Ethiopian counterpart to enhance community engagement and ensure cross-border coordination in the search and rescue mission. The humanitarian organisation has also called for increased intervention to support affected families.
While the government has provided food assistance to 100 households, local leaders insist that more aid is needed.
“We appreciate the support so far, but many families are still struggling. The loss of livelihoods, combined with the trauma of the attack, requires a more comprehensive humanitarian response,” said Turkana North MP Christopher Nakuleu.
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