Tens of thousands flee Ethiopia's Moyale clashes into Kenya; lawmakers urge Ruto to act

Centre · 1Kenyan lawmakers from Marsabit County called on President William Ruto on 26 October to intervene diplomatically in Ethiopia, as deadly clashes along the shared border pushed nearly 15,000 people to seek refuge in Kenya. 1 Centre · 1Saku MP Dido Ali Rasso and Moyale MP Guyo Waqo Jaldesa were among those who appealed for urgent government action and international humanitarian support, warning that arriving women and children needed food, shelter and medical help. 1 Centre · 1They also urged local residents not to harm innocent civilians, asked for stronger border security and safe passage for civilians, and said the fighting had closed businesses and disrupted the Kenya-Ethiopia trade corridor. 1

Centre · 1The Kenya Red Cross had reported more than 10,900 displaced people in six temporary camps in Moyale and another 4,000 staying with relatives and host families. 1 Mixed · 2By 27 October the estimates had risen sharply. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) cited about 40,000 people who had sought refuge in Moyale, while Arab News reported that the UN put the figure at 36,000. 2 3 Mixed · 2According to KNCHR, more than 15,000 people were in eight temporary shelters such as churches and schools and over 20,000 were with relatives and friends; Arab News, citing the Kenya Red Cross, said displaced people were in six camps and host-community villages. 2 3

Centre · 1KNCHR chairperson Claris Ogangah urged authorities to act urgently, noting shortages of food, water, shelter, sanitation and healthcare, a risk of disease outbreaks, and four births at Manyatta Burji and Bitiye. The commission reminded authorities of the principle of non-refoulement and asked Kenya and Ethiopia to coordinate. 2 Right · 1The Kenya Red Cross said more food was reaching the camps and volunteers were serving hot meals, and the UN refugee agency said it was on the ground supporting the national and local response. 3 Mixed · 2The fighting involves regional security forces and armed civilians from Ethiopia's Oromia and Somali regions, notably Oromo Borana and Somali Garre communities, and stems from a long-running territorial dispute. 2 3

Mixed · 2Anadolu reports that the trigger was a dispute over raising the Somali Regional State flag and opening a new administrative office in an area Oromia claims. It says tensions grew after a 13-year-old girl was killed on 18 October, and heavy fighting broke out on 22 October. Arab News says the girl was killed in an area administered by the Somali regional administration, and Anadolu adds that the rival communities accuse each other of provoking the clashes. 2 3 Right · 1Arab News adds that Kenyan police reported three stray-bullet incidents in Moyale last week and that Marsabit leaders fear the fighting could spread to the Kenyan side and strain host communities already short of food and water. 3