Kenya, Ethiopia resume peace talks

By Lucas Ng’asike

Kenya and Ethiopia have revived collapsed peace talks with the warring Turkana and Merille tribesmen to avert more bloodshed.

The Ethiopia authorities have recovered part of the livestock stolen by the Merille Militia in Todonyang border point in Turkana North district.

Ekidor Ekal (left) and Akunoit Ekal (right) whose parents died when Merille militia from Ethiopia attacked herders in Todonyang', Turkana. Kenya and Ethiopia have resumed peace talks among the warring communities. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

Kenyan delegation led by the Turkana North DC Jack Obuo and the local elders were handed over the animals in Todonyang police post Wednesday.

Obuo praised the Ethiopian government for their efforts to recover the stolen animals.

The DC said Kenya and Ethiopia have been enjoying a bilateral relationship. He said the continued bloodshed could be resolved by reuniting the communities to bury their differences.

The DC said they have deployed enough security personnel to the border point to prevent more attacks.

The Ethiopia South Omo DC Malloka Wubneh who led a security team in the search said they recovered 47 cattle and 144 goats and sheep that were stolen by the Merille tribesmen.

The animals were stolen after the Merille Militia attacked Kenyan herders that left 13 people mostly women dead in the volatile Todonyang border point.

Locals claimed the Militia also raped women before they killing them.

Although locals claimed the militia stole 300 cattle, the Ethiopia authorities said they managed to recover a sustentative figure.

Webnuh said the Ethiopian police have nabbed 8 suspects linked to the massacre.

“We have arrested eight more culprits in connection to the murder of Kenyan herders. We have arraigned them to Ethiopian courts,” said Wubneh.

The Ethiopia administrator apologised to Kenyan Authorities and the local elders over a repeat massacre of Kenyans by the Militia inside Kenyan territory.

“On behalf of the Ethiopia Government, we apologise for the mistakes done by my people. But we are going to assure you that we will get to the bottom of the matter to ensure we deal with the criminals breaching international peace, “ South Omo DC said.