Moyale leaders want Ethiopia to compensate victims of recent cross-border raids in the area.

Led by their MP, Dr Guracha Galgalo, they asked the Government to start compensation negotiations.

Dr Galgalo said the Saturday release of Administration Police officer Dulacha Halake and the return of guns seized from six Kenyan police officers killed two weeks ago confirmed Addis Ababa's involvement in the incursions.

"We want compensation now! I am going to take up this matter with the Government!" the Health Assistant Minister declared.

"The release of Halake confirms what we have always been saying," he told a harambee at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi. Sh380,000 was raised for the 600 displaced victims of a recent raid in Kiltipe Manyatta, Uran Division.

Youth leader Yusuf Huka Jillo said the community will take the two countries to the International Human Rights Tribunal for arbitration if no compensation is forthcoming.

A group of elders warned they would sabotage trade between the two nations if Kenya did not stop Ethiopia from using the port of Mombasa.

Dr Galgalo and his Isiolo South counterpart, Mr Abdullahi Wako, said the Boran should arm themselves if the Government failed to give them the weapons.

They urged Kenya to maintain diplomatic relations with Ethiopia until the "persistent acts of hostility are stopped".

Mr Halake was released on Saturday afternoon as jubilant Moyale residents sang to welcome his release.

Mr Halake was handed over to District Commissioner Clement Kiteme by the Ethiopian Central government representative in the southern region.