Security officers in Kibish, Turkana County, on Monday arrested 44 suspected illegal immigrants of Eritrean and Ethiopian origin after a coordinated multi agency operation near the Kenya–Ethiopia border.
According to an incident report filed by police, intelligence reached Kibish Police Station at around 3:00pm on December 1, 2025, indicating that a group of foreigners had crossed into Kenya with the assistance of Nyangatom youths from Ethiopia.
The group was reportedly hiding in the bushes at Kaguta area.
The Sub County Police Commander swiftly mobilized police and National Police Reservists (NPR) officers, who launched an extensive search.
At around 6:00pm, officers successfully traced the group, which included adult men and women as well as several juveniles and infants.
The arrested individuals include,21 adult females.13 juveniles and 10 adult males.
The majority were identified as Eritreans with a few Ethiopian nationals.
In the list included individuals aged between 16 months and 64 years, among them mothers with young children.
Due to the size of the group, tensions rose as Ethiopian Nyangatom youth attempted to obstruct the arrest.
Ethiopian authorities were contacted to help restrain them, but additional support was required.
The situation was stabilized only after the GSU Kibish and APS teams reinforced the operation.
By 10:00pm, all 44 suspects were safely escorted to Kibish Police Station.
Authorities from both countries were by press time still in consultation regarding:screening and testing for Marburg virus and verification of their nationalities.