Kenya deploys military along border after Ethiopian soldiers’ invasion

KDF officers alert during a past operation. Soldiers from Ethiopia on Tuesday
harassed Uran Ward residents in Sololo after crossing the border. [PHOTO: FILE]

MARSABIT: Kenya has deployed military troops along Sololo border following Tuesday's invasion of Ethiopian soldiers into three villages in Uran Ward within the county.

The military arrived in Sololo District on Tuesday, hours after the Ethiopian soldiers had left after invading villages and have been patrolling the border since then.

Uran Ward Rep Qalicha Huka confirmed Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers have been deployed along the border and the situation is under control.

“We thank security personnel for acting swiftly after we reported the incident,” he said, adding that combined police forces and military visited the invaded villages.

Locals harassed

On Wednesday, calm had returned to the border villages of Lataka, Qicha and Kiltipe where foreign forces' invasion had been reported and several locals harassed on Tuesday.

The foreign soldiers have reportedly retreated to their country since Tuesday evening through Kiltipe border point.

During the invasion, they also allegedly disarmed a Kenya Police Reservist (KPR) officer identified as Guyo Galgallo.

The villagers claimed the foreign force demanded them to disclose the whereabouts of Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) rebels, which is an outlawed militia in Ethiopia.

Sololo District peace chairman Galm Dabasso said four people were injured during the incident and KDF officers have kept vigil following the incident.

He said foreign forces have reportedly crossed over to their country and tension has diffused in the region.

Area Deputy County Commissioner Raphael Muiruri said Wednesday the situation is calm but the Government guns taken away by the foreign force are yet to be recovered.