By MOYALE, Kenya – In a shocking escalation of violence along the volatile Kenya-Ethiopia border, two South Korean missionaries were kidnapped on Monday evening, while eight Kenyan civilians were found shot dead and burned in a separate incident, local officials reported. The incidents underscore the growing insecurity in the region, which has been plagued by armed banditry and ethnic conflicts.
According to Marsabit County Governor Mohamud Ali, the two South Korean nationals were abducted from their home in the village of Obda near Moyale at approximately 9 p.m. local time (1800 GMT). “Two missionaries of Korean origin were abducted and [are being] held incommunicado to date,” Governor Ali said in a statement on Tuesday, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
The Standard newspaper quoted Marsabit County Commissioner James Kiema as saying that a South Korean male and his mother-in-law were taken from their residence by armed assailants. “The man’s mobile phone signal was last traced to the border with Ethiopia,” added Deputy County Commissioner David Saruni, who also noted that efforts to locate them have been complicated by the fact that “the phone has since been switched off.”
Kenyan authorities have launched a rescue operation aimed at disarming local bandits and restoring order in the border region, which has seen a spike in violence in recent months. The operation comes in response to the growing number of attacks on civilians and the increasing lawlessness that has made the area one of Kenya’s most dangerous regions.
The South Korean embassy in Nairobi was alerted to the incident and has been in contact with local authorities. However, when reached for comment, the embassy did not immediately respond. National police spokesperson Resila Onyango said that efforts were being made to secure the release of the hostages but did not provide further details.
In a related and equally disturbing incident on Monday night, gunmen dressed in “jungle attire” ambushed a truck traveling on a remote road near Moyale, approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of the town.
The attackers shot dead eight occupants and then set the vehicle on fire, burning the bodies of the victims. According to a police report seen by Reuters, the incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, further exacerbating fears of escalating violence.
The borderlands between Kenya and Ethiopia have long been notorious for lawlessness, with frequent raids by armed groups often linked to disputes over land and resources.
Last year, the Kenyan government launched a major security operation in an effort to disarm local militias and curb the rampant banditry that has terrorized the region. However, Monday’s incidents suggest that the situation remains dire, with little progress made in bringing lasting peace to the area.
As the search for the kidnapped missionaries continues, Kenyan authorities face mounting pressure to restore order and protect the vulnerable populations living near the border.
The recent surge in violence has not only strained local security forces but also raised concerns about the potential for further destabilization in the already fragile region.
Credit: Reuters
