Over 4,000 World War II ammo rounds unearthed in Moyale

Police in Marsabit county recovered more than 4,000 rounds of ammunition believed to date back to the Italian occupation of Ethiopia after they were unearthed during construction works in Moyale.

The cache was discovered on Wednesday afternoon by a resident of Moyale town, while digging a foundation for a house opposite Moyale Township Senior School.

According to police, the man noticed several metallic objects buried underground and alerted authorities after suspecting they were ammunition.

A team of security officials visited the scene.
The officers confirmed that the metallic objects were ammunition buried beneath the ground.

Police recovered a total of 4,060 rounds of 8×50mm ammunition, which investigators believe may have been left behind by Italian forces during the 1935–36 campaign in the region.

The ammunition was collected and transferred to the Moyale Police Station armoury, where it will be kept pending safe disposal.

Police said the recovery operation was completed successfully and investigations into the origin of the ammunition are ongoing.

Police suspect the ammunition was left behind by Italian forces many decades ago.

Authorities have assured residents that there is no danger to public safety and have advised anyone who comes across suspected weapons or ammunition to report them immediately rather than handle them.

Earlier this month, authorities in Marsabit county said they had launched investigations after the discovery of about 50 old graves in Korole area near the Chalbi Desert, a site believed to hold significant historical importance.

The graves were discovered by a herdsman grazing livestock in Mbagasi village, Kambinye sublocation, Kargi location, within Laisamis constituency.

Police officers visited the scene alongside officials from the local administration, including the area chief and ward administrator.

The team confirmed the presence of roughly 50 old graves scattered across the site before documenting and photographing the area.
Preliminary accounts from local residents suggest the burial site could date back to the colonial era.

During the visit, officers interviewed 75-year-old retired catechist Edward, who recounted that the area once served as a settlement for Ethiopian refugees captured during the 1935 conflict involving Italian forces and Ethiopia.

According to the elder, the refugees lived under British colonial administration, where many are believed to have died from disease outbreaks and water-related hardships.

He added that the hardships forced members of the Rendille community to relocate and eventually settle in present-day Kargi.

Police have preserved the scene and indicated that further investigations will be conducted to establish the origin, age and historical significance of the graves.

A follow-up visit involving relevant authorities is expected as investigations continue.

Officials have not yet confirmed the identities of those buried at the site, and no exhumations have been announced.

The findings are expected to guide the next phase of the investigation, officials said.