By John Kariuki
A major search and rescue (SAR) operation is underway in Lotiira, Lake Turkana, following a deadly attack on Turkana fishermen by Dassanach militia from Ethiopia on Saturday, February 22, 2025. Reports from the ground indicate that 57 individuals are currently missing, as confirmed by the Turkana community, while two bodies have been recovered and identified.
The SAR efforts have faced major hurdles, with Kenyan authorities encountering frustration from the Ethiopian side due to a lack of structured security dialogue between the two nations. However, despite these challenges, Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), in collaboration with the Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS), swiftly deployed a fuelled boat for rescue operations, which departed from Kalokol to Todonyang to commence the mission.
Security coordination remains a top priority in the operation. On March 1, 2025, a high-level security meeting presided over by Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr. Hassan Abdullahi led to an agreement between Kenyan and Ethiopian authorities to allow SAR teams access to the affected waters.
Today, March 2, 2025, the SAR mission was officially launched in Lotiira by Turkana County Commissioner Mr. Julius Kavita, accompanied by security teams and key Turkana County leaders. Among those present were Turkana North MP Hon. Paul Ekwom Nabuin Shariff, former Cabinet Secretary Hon. John Munyes, and former Turkana County Assembly Speaker Hon. Christopher Nakuleu, among others.
In a show of heightened government intervention, Principal Secretary for Shipping and Maritime Affairs, Geoffrey Kaituko, issued a directive on Thursday, February 28, for the deployment of a high-capacity patrol boat stationed in Kalokol to Todonyang for SAR operations. Additional support has been mobilized, with Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) and Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) providing more boats and resources to enhance the operation.
The search and rescue mission is now a joint effort between Kenyan and Ethiopian teams, with divers and security personnel from both nations working together to locate the missing fishermen. The situation remains tense, but authorities are determined to ensure that every effort is made to find and rescue those unaccounted for.
As the operation continues, leaders and security officials urge for calm and cooperation between both countries to prevent further incidents and improve cross-border security for fishermen and local communities reliant on Lake Turkana’s resources.