Kenya has sent a protest note to neighbouring Ethiopia following border attacks that left 20 members of the Turkana community dead.
Internal Security assistant minister Orwa Ojode said Thursday that the government had also intensified security at the border point to avert further attacks.
“In the meantime the Government is relocating the GSU and AP camps at Tondonyang to the actual border point fourteen (14) kilometres away to counter any revenge attacks between warring communities,” he said during a news conference at Harambee House, Nairobi Thursday.
Mr Ojode said that peace initiatives between kenyans and Ethiopians living on the border will be started with a view to finding a lasting solution.
On Tuesday, many were feared dead following an attack in Turkana by suspected Merille bandits from Ethiopia.
Although relief agencies put the number of those killed at 18, police said that just five deaths had been confirmed.
The victims were killed while taking a rest after a night-long fishing expedition at the source of Lake Turkana. The area of attack is about 170 kilometres from Lodwar town.
On Thursday, Mr Ojode said 20 Turkanas were killed in a revenge attack.
He said relief food had been sent to the area by the Special Programmes Ministry to “deter the Turkana from moving to the Ethiopian side in search of food”.
“The Ministry of Special Programmes has distributed 100 bags of rice, 100 cartons of vegetable oil and 100 bags of beans as a lasting solution is being sought.”
“Meanwhile, a Joint Border Commissioners meeting will be held early next week to put in place strategies to ensure the two communities live in peace,” he said.
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