Todonyang attack: Two bodies recovered as search for missing Kenyans continue
CS Murkomen confirmed that the bodies of a man and a woman, both estimated to be aged between their late 20s and early 30s, had been found.
Two bodies have been recovered after last weekend's attack in Todonyang, Turkana County, as the search for other missing Kenyans continues.
In a statement on Wednesday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed that the bodies of a man and a woman, both estimated to be aged between their late 20s and early 30s, had been found.
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"The government stands in solidarity with those who have lost their loved ones and those whose family members are still unaccounted for," he said.
Murkomen urged for patience, assuring that efforts are ongoing with Ethiopia’s cooperation to locate those still unaccounted for.
He acknowledged that poor communication on the Ethiopian side was hampering search and rescue efforts but commended officials from both countries for their dedication.
"I appeal to the families involved for calm and patience as the operation continues. I also thank the Ethiopian government for allowing our officials full access to the area, which has aided the recovery and the continued search for the missing persons and boats," he added.
He assured that the government was doing everything possible to account for all missing persons while engaging Ethiopian authorities to restore lasting peace and cohesion in the region.
"We will provide further updates on the progress of the search and rescue efforts as more developments arise," Murkomen said.
The attack occurred on Saturday, February 22, 2025, when a group of Kenyan fishermen on a routine fishing mission in Lake Turkana came under assault from the suspected Dassanech militia from Ethiopia. Murkomen said due to poor communication from the Ethiopian side, information about the attack only began reaching Kenyan authorities late at night.
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen in Todonyang, Turkana County on February 24, 2025 following an attack on a a group of Kenyan fishermen by suspected Dassanech militia from Ethiopia. (Photo: Kipchumba Murkomen)
Local security agencies in Turkana County immediately launched efforts to assess the extent of the attack. On Sunday, February 23, a reporting desk was set up at the Todonyang General Service Unit (GSU) camp for residents to report missing persons. A security team, led by the Turkana County Commissioner, established contact with Ethiopian authorities, who assured them of access to the Ethiopian side to begin search and rescue operations.
On Monday, February 24, Murkomen noted that he visited the area alongside East African Community Affairs and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Beatrice Askul, Turkana County Senator James Lomenen, Turkana North MP Ekwom Nabuin, Deputy Inspector General of the National Police Service Eliud Lagat, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan, GSU Commandant Ranson Lolmodooni, Turkana County Commissioner Julius Kavita, and other leaders and security officials.
He added that a team led by the Regional Commissioner was formed to negotiate with Ethiopian authorities for access to the affected area.
By Tuesday, February 25, diplomatic discussions in Nairobi between Kenyan and Ethiopian officials yielded positive results, granting the Kenyan team full access to the Ethiopian side for search operations.
"Today, the team from the Kenyan side, working with their Ethiopian counterparts, accessed the area of the incident and are currently searching for the missing persons and 15 boats," Murkomen said.
He reiterated the government's commitment to accounting for all missing persons and restoring stability in the region.
"We stand in solidarity with the families whose loved ones are unaccounted for and appeal for calm. We will provide another update on the progress of the search and rescue efforts in due course," he said.
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