By Osinde Obare
Armed troops have been moved to Todonyang at the Kenya-Ethiopia border to contain incursions by Merrile militia.
Tension has been high at the border after armed Merrile herders attempted to cross into Kenya and invade grazing fields.
Turkana North DC Albert Mwilitsa said security officers have been deployed to intensify patrols along the porous border.
“We have established a full-fledged police station, a General Service Unit, and a Rapid Deployment Unit from the Administration Police to beef up security, and stop the aggressions,” Mr Mwilitsa said.
The Government had also opened an army base to back up security personnel.
invasion
Mwilitsa said Kenya has also delivered a protest message to Ethiopia over the aggression.
“We want Ethiopian authorities to step up security and stop their people from invading our territory,” the DC told The Standard on phone from Lokitaung.
Other demands by Kenya are for the withdrawal and disarmament of the nearly 500 Merrile militia at Nadapal, an Ethiopian security border post.
Merrile militia is accused of attacking officers and Turkana villagers in a bid to make them move away from the fertile fishing areas.
Mwilitsa said he had delivered a protest letter to Ato Shugute, the southern Ethiopia regional puppet president, through the chief administrative officer of southern Omo Zone.
Fishing grounds
Mwilitsa said the Government also wants Ethiopia to establish a legitimate security camp at Nadapal and do away with the police reserve he accused of helping Ethiopian intruders attack Kenyan soil.
Merrile militia has gunned down more than 50 people, including police officers, since last May. This has forced hundreds of Turkana families to move from the rich fishing grounds along the shores to Lwarengak, 14km away for safety. The communities depend on fishing for sustenance.
