Four members of the Dassanech militia from Ethiopia were killed during a fierce exchange of gunfire with Kenya’s National Police Reservists (NPR) in Turkana County.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening, September 27, 2026, at Loyoro in Kibish Sub-County, near the Kenya-Ethiopia border, police said.
Witnesses and police said the confrontation began at about 6:30pm when the Dassanech militia allegedly crossed into the area seeking to avenge fatalities suffered during a foiled raid on September 26.
The two sides engaged in a prolonged exchange of gunfire while on the water.
The NPR eventually overpowered the militia members and destroyed their shelters located among reeds on the water, police said.
Four Dassanech fighters were killed during the confrontation, while an unknown number of others sustained injuries as they fled the scene.
No injuries or fatalities were reported on the Turkana side.
Police have since intensified patrols in the area amid heightened security along the border.
Tension remained high in the area amid fears of possible revenge attacks in the coming days. Local officials said they were engaging their Ethiopian counterparts to address the menace.
Cattle rustling menace is common in the area. The gang from Ethiopia crosses to Kenya for livestock. Those in Kenya too cross to Ethiopia for the same mission in a trend.
The area is among those under a special operation aimed at addressing the cattle rustling menace.
The menace has affected development at large.
The area is covered by Operation Maliza Uhalifu, a government security initiative targeting banditry and other forms of violent crime in the northern and Rift Valley regions. The operation also covers Baringo, West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu and Marsabit counties.
The government has said its approach combines security operations with long-term investments and sustainable development initiatives intended to address the underlying causes of insecurity.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has previously said the long-term objective is to empower communities to participate in combating livestock theft and pursue legitimate economic and nation-building activities.
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