At least four members of the Dassanech militia from Ethiopia were killed during an exchange of gunfire with Kenya’s National Police Reservists (NPR) in Turkana County, police said.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening, September 27, 2026, at Loyoro in Kibish Sub-County, near the Kenya-Ethiopia border.
The clash in the region has heightened tension and fears of further attacks in retaliation.
The incident has prompted deployments to enhance local safety, officials said, amid efforts to defuse tensions.
Witnesses and police said the confrontation began at about 6:30 pm when the Dassanech militia allegedly crossed into the area seeking to avenge fatalities reported during a foiled raid on September 26.
After they were sighted, an alarm was raised, alerting members of the NPR.
The two sides then engaged in an exchange of gunfire.
Police said the NPR later overpowered the militia members and destroyed shelters they were using among reeds on the water.
Four Dassanech fighters were reported 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 said on Tuesday.
Police have since intensified patrols in the area amid heightened security on the border.
Tension remained high amid fears of revenge attacks in the coming days.
Local officials said they were engaging their Ethiopian counterparts to address the security concerns.
Cattle rustling has been reported as a persistent problem in the area. Officials say groups from Ethiopia cross into Kenya in search of livestock.
They also say groups from Kenya cross into Ethiopia for the same purpose, a pattern that has remained active for years amid efforts to address it.
The area is among those covered by a special operation aimed at addressing the cattle rustling menace.
The government says the problem has affected development. 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 says 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.
Police say the operation has also led to the recovery of dozens of illegal firearms reportedly used in attacks.
