A Parliamentary committee wants Ethiopia to compensate victims of the recent cross-border attacks at Moyale.

Consequently, the Committee on Defence and Foreign Affairs yesterday urged the government to take up the matter with Ethiopian authorities.

"The Committee calls on the Kenya Government to pursue the issue of compensation of the victims of this incident," committee chairman David Musila said at Parliament Buildings.

However, Mr Musila said the committee is satisfied with the deterrent measures taken after a series of meetings with officials from both sides.

The committee, he said, held meetings with a Minister of State in charge of defence, Mr Julius Sunkuli, Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Bonaya Godana and Permanent Secretary Dr Sally Kosgey on measures taken by the government following the incident.

Two days ago, the committee met a high-powered Ethiopian delegation led by Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Tsadkau Tensal, Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Tekeda Alenu and Ambassador Teshone Toga.

"The committee held fruitful discussions with these officials on the Ethiopian Government's efforts to improve the security situation on the Kenya-Ethiopia border," he said.

Recent attacks by Ethiopian militias have left more than 160 civilians and policemen dead.

Accompanied by members Dr Mukhisa Kituyi, Mr Suleiman Kamole and Mr Jimmy Angwenyi, the committee chairman said the measures taken will consolidate and enhance the historically good relations between Kenya and Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian delegation on Tuesday delivered a special message to President Moi from Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

Mr Musila maintained that providing arms to Moyale residents was not a solution to the cross-border raids.

Instead, he recommended strengthening of border committees made up of officials from both sides.

"The border conflict should be resolved diplomatically by a committee composed of members of the two communities," he said.

"There is no cultural and social difference between communities living at the border. They don't recognise the boundaries," Dr Kituyi explained.

The committee disputed Office of the President Minister Marsden Madoka assertion that the problem could be solved only when residents stopped hosting Oromo Liberation Front activists.

In fact, Dr Mukhisa said, the government has disowned Mr Madoka's statement.