AFRICA/KENYA - Twenty people were killed in an attack by Ethiopian bandits in the area of Lake Turkana, severely drought-stricken

Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - On August 5, at least 20 people were killed by a group of Ethiopians who attacked the area of Todonyang, in the Turkana County , in northern Kenya, on the border with Ethiopia.
This is what His Exc. Mgr. Dominic Kimengich, Bishop of Lodwar said, in a telephone conversation with CISA Agency Mgr.. Kimengich added that three other people were seriously injured in the attack. The news was communicated to Mgr. Kimengich by a priest who works in the area. The bandits escaped with the victims’ cattle.
Bishop Lodwar expressed his sadness because the Turkana shepherds have suffered another attack while they have to cope with the dramatic consequences of drought and famine. Just the drought has caused an increase in cattle rustling and violent disputes over possession of the few pastures and available water resources.
In a similar attack in May 2011 in the same area forty people were killed. Even in this case, the bandits came from Ethiopia.
Mgr. Kimengich concluded that now it is the time to find a lasting solution to the problem of insecurity in the area. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 06/08/2011)