Kibaki rules out use of military in border row

By Peter Atsiaya and Cyrus Ombati

President Kibaki has ruled out use of military force to remove Ethiopians who have invaded Kenyan territory in Turkana County.

Kibaki said Kenya and Ethiopia have agreed to hold a joint ministerial meeting to seek means of restoring border beacons destroyed by invaders.

He added that the move was reached when he met Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in Uganda, last week.

"I am confident the joint ministerial meeting would resolve outstanding border issues and facilitate co-existence of communities along the common border," said Kibaki.

President Kibaki opens a facility when he attended a military passing out parade in Eldoret, Friday. At right is Chief of General Staff Jeremiah Kianga. [PICTURE: PETER OCHIENG/STANDRAD]

The President did not, however, state the dates for the ministerial meetings. Kibaki spoke at the Eldoret Recruits Training School after presiding over the passing out parade of recruits, on Friday.

Forestry Minister, Noah Wekesa, Defense Assistant Minister, David Musila, and Chief of the General Staff General, Jeremiah Kianga accompanied him.

At the same time, Kibaki said steps would be taken to ensure unexploded bombs are removed from training fields.

"While the military and other security forces will continue to conduct training to retain skills for defending Kenyans, it must be ensured the training fields remain secure after training. The President said cross-border conflict on the Kenya–Ethiopia and Kenya–Somali borders were a major security concern.

Police station

He spoke as the Government moved to elevate Todonyang Police Post in Turkana to a full police station to intensify security at the Kenya/Ethiopia boarder.

Commissioner of Police Mathew Iteere made the announcement in a gazette notice Friday.

This means an Officer Commanding Station, who will command more than 30 security officers, will be posted there and would report to the OCPD based at the Turkana North District.

The move came weeks after clashes between members of Turkana community and those of Merile from Ethiopia left 25 people dead.

Lack of security personnel was blamed for the recent bloody attacks. Following the attacks, Kenya wrote a protest note to Ethiopia over the clashes.