A high-powered Ethiopian delegation is in the country to hold talks with senior government officials.

The visit comes in the wake of recent attacks by Ethiopian militiamen at the common border, resulting in the deaths of more than 160 civilians and policemen.

The delegation, which includes top military men and Foreign Affairs officials, is led by Ethiopia's Chief of General Staff, Lt-Gen Gebre Tensay.

On Tuesday, the delegation met President Moi "to deliver a special message from Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi".

It later paid courtesy calls on Foreign Affairs and Internal Security Ministers Bonaya Godana and Marsden Madoka respectively.

Mr Madoka said the only way to maintain peace and stability along the common border was by holding regular meetings.

"Besides respecting each other's boundaries, we should be also holding regular joint border-meetings," he said.

Lt-Gen Tensay said they had held "very fruitful talks aimed at strengthening bilateral relations".

He regretted the deaths caused by the recent incursions, but dismissed the incidents as "minor and can be managed easily".

He said the deaths were largely due to clan differences, and had been blown out of proportion.

Despite the border skirmishes, bilateral relations between the two countries were still cordial, Dr Tekeda Alemu, Ethiopia's Foreign Affairs Vice-Minister, said.

He warned "those who want to drive a wedge between peoples of the two countries that they will not succeed".

The Ethiopian Ambassador to Kenya, Mr Teshome Toga, accompanied the delegation.