More than 14,000 Ethiopian civilians have crossed the border into Kenya to escape a surge in deadly violence, according to humanitarian officials. The conflict involves rival Oromo and Somali communities in Ethiopia’s southern border region, where tensions were ignited by a dispute over the display of the Somali Regional State flag within an area administered by Oromia. Both areas are federal regions of Ethiopia.
The influx of displaced people has placed significant pressure on the Kenyan border town of Moyale. The Kenya Red Cross reports that approximately 10,900 individuals are currently being housed across six temporary camps, while an additional 4,000 are staying with local host families and relatives. This surge represents a rapid escalation from Friday, when Marsabit County Commissioner Stanley Kamande noted that about 2,000 people had initially crossed the border following the outbreak of violence on Wednesday.
Humanitarian officials expressed deep concern regarding the scale of the crisis. Malik Adan, head of the Kenya Red Cross for the Upper Eastern region, issued an urgent appeal for support. "We urgently need more well-wishers to support us with food and water. There is also a need for sanitary supplies and more toilets to avert diarrhoeal diseases," Adan stated on Saturday. While the Kenya Red Cross has been distributing essential items such as tents, blankets, and sleeping mats, and providing nutritional aid to children and mothers, officials warn that local resources are struggling to keep pace with the growing numbers.
While initial reports on Friday indicated at least nine deaths, there are mounting fears that the total death toll could exceed a dozen as heavy fighting continues. Residents have reported persistent heavy gunfire and shelling, leaving Kenya as the sole refuge for those fleeing the violence. The instability has also halted cross-border trade. Moyale, located roughly 780 kilometres north of Nairobi and 775 kilometres south of Addis Ababa, remains the primary crossing point for those seeking safety.
