Ethiopian militiamen are holding three more Kenyans captive a week after killing 10 others.

This brings to four the number of Kenyans being held by the militiamen in the past week.

The three, two crew members of the Gantaal Bus Service company and a Mandera driver, are reportedly held at Bulahawa, a Somalia town 20 kilometres from Mandera and allegedly controlled by the Ethiopians.

However, the Ethiopian Embassy in Nairobi denied the allegations, blaming a "terrorist" group of attempting to soil the cordial relationship between the two countries.

A week ago, a Kenyan policeman, Mr Dulacha Halakhe, was abducted after the militiamen ambushed a government security team in Kiltipe, Moyale district, and killed eight officers and two residents.

Mr Halakhe is allegedly being held at Bokuluboma military base, about 140 km from the border town.

North Eastern Provincial police chief Samuel Kileme confirmed that the three – Mr Said Ali, a driver, Mr Abdulkadir Mohammed Fatah, a conductor, and a Mr Afey – were being held in the Somali town.

Mr Kileme was categorical that the town is in Somalia. However, sources said the militiamen were Ethiopians.

The police chief said the crew had visited the town to buy milk before they were detained for being in possession of an illegal publication.

The proprietor of the bus company, Mr Hassan Barre Duale, who spoke to the Nation by telephone from Garissa, said his men had Sh39,000 on the day they were seized. 

A Landrover belonging to Mr Afey was released to the Kenyan authorities, Mr Kileme said. 

He disclosed that the Mandera District Security Committee was negotiating for their release.

Ethiopian Embassy spokesman Mengitsu Ayalew said the recent disturbances in Moyale were instigated by the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF).

He defended his country, saying sporadic attacks by the "rebels were bent on destroying the strong relationship between the two nations". 

Office of the President Minister Marsden Madoka said the problem could only be resolved if the residents stopped hosting OLF activists. 

He said patrols at the border had been intensified. 

Meanwhile, villagers in Kiltipe have fled their homes and are camping at Sololo, Moyale DC Clement Kiteme said.