Search and rescue operations in lake Turkana/HANDOUT The search and rescue operations for the missing Kenyans following a cross-border attack last weekend in Todonyang, Turkana County, have been significantly bolstered.
This is after the Kenya Red Cross deployed a fiber motorboat and divers to assist in the ongoing exercise, which had been hampered by a lack of necessary resources and security challenges in the Ethiopian area.
Turkana County Red Cross chairperson Paul Jelinga said the deployment is set to enhance the search operations.
"We are now better equipped to reach areas previously inaccessible," he said.
There were fears that the Red Cross team has been working closely with local authorities and security agencies in the area.
Only two bodies have been recovered after the ambush by suspected militia from the Ethiopian Dassanech community at Lotiira and Lopeimukat villages along Lake Turkana.
This followed what Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen described as a retaliation after a rogue Kenyan attacked their Ethiopian neighbours, killing three.
Over 20 Kenyans are said to be still missing.
A reporting desk set up at the Todonyang GSU camp on February 23, is said to have so far received more than 30 cases.
There were claims that some of those missing are in the waters.
And, even as the search continues, reports emerged that Ethiopian authorities have access to the area where the incident occurred.
On February 26, Murkomen announced that diplomatic talks between the two countries allowed Kenyan teams access to the Ethiopian side to locate those unaccounted for.
Turkana North MP Ekwom Nabuin claimed Ethiopian authorities deployed military to the area something he argued is hampering search operations.
"Ethiopian Special Forces blocked us from reaching Kenyans who are believed to be alive and hiding in the reeds within the lake," said Ekwom.
He stated that the soldiers has taken control of the attack site and restricting their access and as a result, "we were unable to locate them or recover the bodies."
"We strongly believe that some Kenyans are still alive and in hiding, but we could not reach them due to the restrictions. This suggests that if they are discovered, they are being executed."
