Two Kenyans shot dead in Ethiopia over theft claims

The suspects were reportedly shot dead in broad daylight by suspected angry members of the Ethiopian Merille community who had been complaining about being sold stolen properties among them motorbikes and mobile phones by Kenyans. [iStockphoto]

Two Kenyan youths among them a Form Two student were shot dead in Omarate town in South Omo, Ethiopia on Thursday.

Another one was arrested after they were suspected of allegedly being linked to criminal activities in the region.

The suspects were reportedly shot dead in broad daylight by suspected angry members of the Ethiopian Merille community who had been complaining about being sold stolen properties among them motorbikes and mobile phones by Kenyans.

Kibish Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Samuel Kiarie confirmed the incident saying it was unfortunate the youth lost their lives in a foreign country.

Kiarie said one of the suspects only identified as 'Thomas' from Kitale in Tran Nzoia County was being detained at Omorate Police division while the bodies of the other two were being kept at the station.

"We have some scanty reports that two young men in their early 20s were killed by suspected members of Dassanech ethnic group who had suspected them of stealing motorbikes and mobile phones from Kenya and crossing over to sell them to the community in Omorate South Omo town in Ethiopia," Mr Kiarie.

He said one of the suspects whose brother was among the deceased, was being detained at Omorate police station with the impounded motorcycle believed to be stolen from the Kenyan side.

"We are talking to Ethiopian authorities to make the arrangement to ferry the bodies of the deceased to Todonyang border point for the collection. We are also negotiating with them to hand over the arrested suspect to Kenyan authorities to be charged back home," he said.

The DCC explained that the suspects met their fate en-route to Ethiopia through Kang'aten-Turmi route to gain access to Omorate town along river Omo.

The senior administrator said the Ethiopians have complained of stolen motorcycles and mobile phones by Kenyan suspects.

He said a number of Ethiopians have been arrested and jailed for handling stolen properties in Kenya after the motorbike and mobile phones installed with trackers by creditors were found in their possession.

The DCC said the demand for motorcycle and mobile phones was high in Ethiopia.