A deadly conflict over the control of lucrative fishing grounds along the Todonyang border has escalated, pitting Turkana fishermen against Dassanech militia from Ethiopia. The violence, sparked by boundary disputes and competition over fishing resources, has left at least three dead and dozens missing in the latest wave of attacks. The bloodshed followed growing tension as the Dassanech militia, previously unfamiliar with fishing, became drawn into the booming fishing economy after learning large-scale fishing techniques from Kenyan fishermen. What began as a cross-border partnership quickly turned into a rivalry as the militia sought to control the rich fishing zones of Natira and Lopeimukat along Lake Turkana. According to local sources, the Dassanech militia have now seized control of the Natiira and Lopeimuk belt , a prime fishing ground situated on Kenyan territory, pushing out Turkana fishermen in violation of international borders. The militia's encroachment was largely driven by displacement caused by flooding along Ethiopia's River Omo, forcing them to seek new livelihoods across the border. In the recent attack, at least 38 fishermen are reported missing, with three bodies recovered in what survivors described as a brutal ambush. The militia allegedly looted fishing gear, boats, and other valuables before retreating across the border. According to reports from local administrators, local fishermen have lost 551 nets and more than 50 boats on February 22, during the deadly militia ambush in Lake Turkana while 38 fishermen cannot be accounted for. However, the Ethiopian authorities have also made a counter claim that 13 of their fishermen were missing without further elaboration. The General administrator of Dassanech Woreda(District) Tadele Hate told the Kenyan authority at the border point that 13 of Dassanech tribesmen were allegedly missing during the conflict. "We also also lost our people in the conflicts.
We appeal to the Kenyan government to investigate the matter, locate our fishermen and even recover some fishing gear, boats and nets that were stolen from our side," Tadele said. A local elder, Lokopu Lobur, accused the Ethiopian of playing delaying tactics to cooperate in efforts to recover the stolen equipment or bring the attackers to justice. Diverting attention "It's almost two weeks now and nothing fruitful is coming out.
We have reported these violations to the Ethiopian authorities, but there has been little action to recover our stolen boats or fishing gear.," Lobur said. Lobur claimed that the Ethiopian authorities were trying to divert the attention of recovery bodies and fishing gear lost during the massacre by crafting counter claims that their people were also missing. "This is a ploy to divert our attention from the real matter of locating missing persons and the fishing gears and boats.
It's very difficult to substantiate this claim because there was no any retaliatalitory attack carried out by Kenyan fishermen after the massacre," he stated. According to Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr Abdi Hassan, 66 survivors have been accounted for while 38 fishermen were still missing. Hassam said nine boats and 140 fishing nets have also been recovered from the scene of the attack by Friday . "Yes, the joint operation is still ongoing.
