Tension remains high in Illeret, Marsabit County, following a deadly incident involving fishermen from Turkana and members of the Dassanach community.
According to reports, the violence began on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at around 9:00 p.m., when four Turkana fishermen from Lowarengak allegedly attacked and killed one Dassanach individual in Illeret.
The attackers are said to have used a motorboat to carry out the operation before fleeing the scene.
In retaliation, residents of Illeret reportedly attacked Turkana community members living in the area, killing one fisherman.
Authorities have since been alerted, with security agencies and local leaders calling for calm as efforts to contain the situation continue.
According to Turkana Central MP Emathe Namuar, preliminary reports indicate that the retaliatory violence has affected at least 34 people, all men. One person has been confirmed dead, two children are missing, four individuals sustained injuries, and one remains in critical condition.
Evacuation efforts are currently underway through coordination between Marsabit and Turkana counties. The Officer Commanding Station (OCS) in Illeret, Mr. Najoli Muhezi, confirmed to the MP that four boats have been deployed to evacuate affected persons to Lowareng’ak.
At the same time, Lodwar County Referral Hospital has been put on alert. CEO Mrs. Nancy Nyang’a is mobilizing an ambulance to receive and transfer the injured for urgent medical care.
Leaders have urged residents to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation, emphasizing the importance of peaceful coexistence among the communities, whose livelihoods largely depend on fishing along the shared waters.
Security operations remain ongoing as authorities work to stabilize the situation and prevent further loss of life.
