- Police and witnesses said the attackers also lobbed two grenades at the team but they did not detonate.
- Police suspect the attackers could be smugglers, militia or terrorists who are trying to find a footing in the area.
The death toll from a gun attack at the Kenya-Ethiopia border rose to eight after one more victim succumbed to injuries, officials said.
Only two of the ten people who were onboard the lorry that was targeted in the Monday night attack survived.
The incident happened along the Kenya-Ethiopia Border at Elledimtu along Forolle-Turbi Road when an unknown number of assailants attacked a vehicle that was transporting food items from Nairobi to Dukana.
The lorry was carrying 10 passengers at the time of the attack.
Marsabit Governor Mohamud Mohamed Ali led local leaders in condemning the attack saying eight out of the ten passengers aboard the vehicle were shot dead and their bodies alongside the motor vehicle itself were burnt.
One passenger was severely injured and another one, a minor, escaped unhurt.
“On behalf of the people of Marsabit, we the leaders, condemn these heinous acts with the strongest terms possible, as we condole with the families, friends and relatives of the deceased,” said the governor.
Following the attack, the police say that the lorry burst into flames where 80 bags of 100 kg maize, 60 iron sheets, 5 (200 litres) diesel, 3 by 2 timber, and other assorted goods of unknown value were destroyed.
Detectives who visited the scene also recovered 157 spent cartridges of 7.62 mm special.
The governor and his team protested what they termed as unabated and continuous killings, abductions and destructions of properties along the Kenya-Ethiopia border.
Two foreigners are missing after they were kidnapped on Monday night in the area. Police said they were missionaries.
The governor said on August 9 2024, on the border of Kenya and Ethiopia at Golole, a bulldozer belonging to Ethiopia was burnt down by some unknown militia.
The attackers were dressed in jungle uniforms amid claims from locals they had crossed from Ethiopia side.
The leaders urged the national government through the state Department of Interior, to take up this matter with the seriousness it deserves to bring the attacks to a halt so that calm and normalcy are restored once and for all.
“We reiterate that just like other Kenyans residing elsewhere, the residents living along the border deserve to live in peace and harmony,” the governor said.
The other leaders who demanded action include Senator Mohamed Chute, Woman Representative Naomi Waqo, MPs Wario Adhe (North Horr), Joseph Lekuton (Laisamis), Prof Guyo Waqo (Moyale) and Dido Ali Raso (Saku).
Eastern regional police commander Charles Naibei said they are yet to establish the motive.
He said they have involved all parties concerned to address the menace.
Former treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatanni blamed a militia from a neighbouring country for the attack.
Tension rose in the area amid calls on the locals on security agencies to address the menace.
Police said they had sent more teams to the area to address any more threats in the coming days.
It is the second such attack in two weeks, which has so far claimed ten lives including that of a policeman.
On August 1, a police officer was killed and three others including a civilian sustained serious injuries when an unknown number of gunmen launched an attack at a checkpoint in the Sessi area of Moyale town, Marsabit County.
Officials said the incident happened at the roadblock leading to the main Kenya-Ethiopia border.
A civilian woman believed to be a revenue clerk with the county government, was also critically wounded in the attack, which was carried out by suspects armed with grenades and assault rifles.
The attackers arrived on board a motorcycle and opened fire at the multi-agency team that was manning the roadblock leading to the Ethiopian border.
Police and witnesses said the attackers also lobbed two grenades at the team but they did not detonate.
Police suspect the attackers could be smugglers or terrorists who are trying to find a footing in the area.
They could also be criminals from the Ethiopian side, police say.
The Moyale-Marsabit highway is one of the main routes used by human and drug smugglers.
The route, according to police is also a haven for terrorists trying to reach Isiolo and Nairobi.
The roadblocks mounted on the route have helped tame many crimes including terrorism.