Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai’s decision to unveil a memorial plaque bearing 40 names of people believed to have died in the February 22, 2025, Todonyang killings has sparked conflict with the National Government, which insists a search and rescue mission is still ongoing.
Turkana North Deputy County Commissioner George Orina distanced the national government from the county’s declaration, saying no bodies have been found and that authorities were not consulted in reaching the conclusion.
“We were not involved in this decision as county security authorities. Our search and rescue operation is ongoing. Families with missing relatives should make official reports to the police station in Todonyang,” said Mr Orina on Tuesday, April 8.
The Kenyan law dictates on what happens when kin disappear without a trace and guides on how long a family should wait before such missing kin is declared dead to seek a death certificate.
Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai unveiling a memorial monument at Todonyang mass grave site with 40 names of people killed during the attack by Dassenech militia from Ethiopia.
Photo credit: Pool
Citing the law, Mr Orina said once a person goes missing, the family has to report to the nearest police station immediately after checking with relatives and friends.
The Evidence Act, Section 118A on the presumption of death: “If it is proved that a person has not been heard from for seven years by those who might be expected to have heard from him if he were alive, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that he is dead."
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen also rejected the declaration, stating on Monday night that without recovered bodies, there is no evidence the individuals are dead. “We cannot authoritatively say these are the numbers as the incident happened in the lake,” he said, calling it a “dicey situation.”
The last official update from the national government was on March 7, when Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan reported three bodies had been recovered, 38 people were still missing, and 66 survivors had been rescued.
Kenyan authorities were granted access to the scene days after the attack by suspected Dassenech militiamen from Ethiopia on Kenyan pastoralists, fishermen, and traders. Two bodies were retrieved within the first four days, and a third eight days later.
Despite this, the Turkana county government unveiled a plaque at the Todonyang graveyard listing 40 names under the inscription: “In loving memory of the following souls who were killed on 22nd February 2025 while trying to survive.”
Governor Lomorukai, accompanied by local leaders and officials, said, “I unveiled a memorial monument for the innocent fishermen who lost their lives in the tragic attack. Their memory will forever remind us of the need for peace and security along our borders.”
The plaque was donated by Friends of Lake Turkana (FoLT) and the Turkana Professionals Association (TPA), organisations that said they were supporting families who had already identified their missing loved ones.
FoLT founder Ikal Angelei said the memorial was a gesture of solidarity with a community that has endured repeated violence and loss. “It was not about the numbers—it was to allow the community to grieve in their own way and be remembered,” she said.
TPA Chairman Jackson Nakusa said the families provided the names on the plaque and criticised the government for failing to expedite the search for the missing.
On March 19, Nakusa led residents in protests over slow rescue efforts, while security officials still listed 38 people as missing.
During his first visit to Todonyang on April 3, Governor Lomorukai insisted the death toll exceeded 41 and appealed to President William Ruto to visit the area and witness the aftermath first hand.
“These incidents are always forgotten. We have a graveyard here where many have been buried over the years. The life of a Kenyan should not be taken for granted,” he said.
Our Lady Queen of Peace Todonyang Mission signpost at Todonyang village in Turkana County.
Photo credit: Pool
He called for an investigation into the attack and urged dialogue with Ethiopian authorities to prevent further violence.
A Catholic priest blessed the monument during the ceremony, thanking the governor for showing solidarity and praying for the victims' eternal peace.
The Todonyang graveyard also holds 42 Kenyans killed in a similar cross-border attack on May 2, 2011.
The current search and rescue mission began on February 26, four days after the attack, when Kenya received permission from Ethiopia to access the scene.
CS Murkomen confirmed then that the attack targeted Kenyan fishermen and that communication breakdowns on the Ethiopian side had delayed the mission.
While visiting the area, Mr Murkomen directed Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan to lead a team in negotiating with Ethiopian authorities and coordinating peace-building efforts.
On February 27, two bodies - a man and a woman - were recovered after Kenyan officials were granted access.
The Interior CS urged families to remain patient, assuring them the government was doing everything possible to locate the missing and restore calm.
