A tragic attack at the shores of Lake Turkana has left four fishermen dead, sparking renewed fears over security in the volatile Todonyang area of Turkana County. The incident occurred early morning on Thursday, May 15 at Ekoriangamuk, where unidentified gunmen ambushed the victims and opened fire at close range.
According to police reports, the victims-three men aged 22, 25, and 32, and a woman aged 25, were found riddled with bullets. The motive behind the attack remains unclear. Authorities say the bodies were moved to the mortuary pending postmortem examinations.
This marks the latest in a string of violent incidents targeting fishermen in the region. In February 2024, more than 20 fishermen were shot dead in a similar attack in Lopeimukay and Lotiira, also within the Todonyang area. Many of their bodies were never recovered, and police at the time blamed the assault on a possible retaliatory raid by a suspected Dassanech gang from Ethiopia.
The ongoing violence is tied to long-standing cross-border tensions and a lack of adequate security infrastructure in the region. Officials noted that the river where many of these attacks occur flows from Ethiopia, where the attackers are believed to retreat after launching deadly raids in Kenya.
Tensions had been rising in recent weeks following multiple sightings of armed individuals believed to be from Ethiopia. Authorities suspect the latest killings may be part of a revenge mission, though investigations are still underway.
In response to escalating insecurity in the North Rift, the government has been conducting Operation Maliza Uhalifu, launched in February 2023. The operation spans nine counties, including Turkana, Baringo, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Marsabit, Laikipia, Isiolo, and Meru.
As part of the crackdown, the National Police Reservists (NPR) have been restructured and reinforced. In 2023 alone, over 1,700 reservists were recruited and trained across six counties, with an additional 400 rearmed in Elgeyo Marakwet and Isiolo to boost ongoing security efforts.
Despite these initiatives, the deadly attacks persist, underscoring the urgent need for lasting solutions to cross-border conflict and community protection in Turkana and surrounding regions.
