Lerte Tellah – Nairobi
The death toll from a gun attack along the Kenya-Ethiopia border has risen to eight after another victim succumbed to injuries, officials confirmed.
The tragic incident, which occurred on Monday night, involved a lorry carrying ten people that was ambushed along the Forolle-Turbi Road at Elledimtu. Only two of the ten individuals aboard the vehicle survived the attack.
According to reports, the assailants targeted the lorry, which was transporting food items from Nairobi to Dukana. The vehicle, which had ten passengers at the time, was set ablaze after the attack. Marsabit Governor Mohamud Mohamed Ali, along with other local leaders, condemned the attack, noting that eight passengers were shot dead, and their bodies, along with the lorry, were burned.
Governor Ali expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, stating, “On behalf of the people of Marsabit, we, the leaders, condemn these heinous acts in the strongest terms possible. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and relatives of the deceased.”
In the aftermath of the attack, the police reported that the lorry caught fire, destroying 80 bags of 100 kg maize, 60 iron sheets, 5 containers of 200 liters of diesel, 3 bundles of 2×4 timber, and other goods of unknown value. Detectives recovered 157 spent cartridges of 7.62 mm special ammunition from the scene.
The attack has sparked outrage among local leaders, who have decried the ongoing violence, kidnappings, and property destruction along the Kenya-Ethiopia border. Two foreign missionaries were also reported missing after being abducted in the same area on Monday night.
Governor Ali highlighted a previous incident on August 9, 2024, in which a bulldozer belonging to Ethiopia was burned by unidentified militants at the Golole border. The attackers were reportedly dressed in jungle uniforms, with locals claiming they had crossed from the Ethiopian side.
The leaders have called on the national government, particularly the State Department of Interior, to urgently address the escalating violence to restore peace and normalcy in the region. “Residents living along the border deserve to live in peace and harmony, just like other Kenyans,” the governor emphasized.
Other leaders demanding action include Senator Mohamed Chute, Woman Representative Naomi Waqo, and MPs Wario Adhe (North Horr), Joseph Lekuton (Laisamis), Prof Guyo Waqo (Moyale), and Dido Ali Raso (Saku).
Eastern Regional Police Commander Charles Naibei stated that the motive for the attack is still under investigation, and all concerned parties are being involved in addressing the security concerns.
Former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatanni attributed the attack to a militia group from a neighboring country, further intensifying tensions in the region.
In response to the attack, additional security teams have been deployed to the area to prevent further incidents. This latest attack marks the second in just two weeks, bringing the total death toll to ten, including a police officer killed earlier this month.
On August 1, a police officer was killed and three others, including a civilian, were seriously injured when gunmen attacked a checkpoint in the Sessi area of Moyale town, Marsabit County. The attackers, armed with grenades and assault rifles, arrived on motorcycles and opened fire on the multi-agency team manning the roadblock.
The Moyale-Marsabit highway is known as a major route for human and drug smugglers, as well as a potential corridor for terrorists attempting to reach Isiolo and Nairobi. Despite roadblocks and increased security measures, the area remains a hotspot for criminal activity.
