By : East African Report News Desk | Sweden / Moyale / Kakuma, Rift Valley / Nairobi | 9 November 2026
MOYALE — The border town of Moyale is now on the frontline of a crisis it did not start.
For nearly two weeks, fighting between forces from Ethiopia’s Oromia and Somali regions has raged on the Ethiopian side of Moyale, pushing more than 50,000 Ethiopians across the border into Kenya, according to the Kenya Red Cross. cc03
Kenyan families living near the border have also been forced to flee their homes after stray bullets and rocket-propelled grenades landed on the Kenyan side.
Two Women Killed by Stray Bullets
Kenya’s Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, who visited Moyale on 5 November with a high-level security delegation, confirmed that two women — one Kenyan and one Ethiopian — have died after being hit by stray bullets, while several others sustained injuries. d4d4
Residents from border settlements including Somare, Sessi, Biashara, Lami, and Heillu estates have reported heavy nighttime fighting, damaged houses and a vehicle hit in Lami estate.
> “Protecting Kenyan communities along the border remains the government’s priority,” Kanja said during the visit, adding that authorities were working to strengthen security through additional personnel and resources.
Kanja said Kenya is engaging Ethiopia’s federal authorities to help end the conflict, and efforts are underway to safely evacuate Kenyan truck drivers and other citizens stranded on the Ethiopian side of the Moyale-Addis Ababa highway. cc03
Humanitarian Pressure Mounting
The influx has overwhelmed local facilities. Schools and public institutions are being used as temporary shelters.
Residents are also facing shortages of essential commodities and electricity disruptions, with prices of basic goods — including rice, cooking oil and milk — reportedly nearly doubling. 9383
Reports indicate about 10 buses carrying 62 passengers each are leaving Moyale for Nairobi daily, as families seek safety further south.
UK Issues Travel Warning for Moyale
On 6 November, the United Kingdom updated its travel advice for Kenya, advising British nationals against all but essential travel to Moyale Town and areas within five kilometres of the Ethiopia border. 3502
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warned that travelling against its advice could invalidate travel insurance.
The warning covers the Kenya-Ethiopia border crossing, a key route for cross-border movement, trade and transport between the two countries.
What to Watch
East African Report will continue to follow:
– Whether Kenya-Ethiopia talks can stop the fighting in Ethiopian Moyale
– The humanitarian response for the more than 50,000 new arrivals in Marsabit County
– Whether the Moyale border crossing will remain open for trade and movement
– The security situation for Kenyan communities in Somare, Sessi, Biashara, Lami and Heillu
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