Ethiopia crisis: Stray bullets, attacks drive 10,000 Kenyans from Moyale border homes

By  David Muchui

Correspondent

Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

• A government-led rapid needs assessment estimates that more than 50,000 Ethiopians have crossed into Marsabit County.
• Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali expressed concern over the public health crisis arising from the influx of refugees.

About 10,000 Kenyans living along the Kenya-Ethiopia border have been displaced as they flee stray bullets and rocket-propelled grenades spilling over from protracted fighting in the neighbouring country.

According to Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali, a government-led rapid needs assessment estimates that more than 50,000 Ethiopians have crossed into Marsabit County.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Governor Ali also expressed concern over the public health crisis arising from the influx of refugees, following the confirmation of measles and rubella cases.

Kenyans living along the Kenya-Ethiopia border, particularly in Sessi, Biashara Street, Lami and Heillu, have been forced to flee their homes due to the threat posed by stray bullets.

Police reports indicate that two people have been killed by stray bullets and more than 20 others have been injured since the conflict broke out on October 18.

"We are particularly alarmed by the public health risks arising from overcrowded shelters, shortages of essential medicines, worsening nutritional conditions and confirmed cases of measles and rubella.

"Without swift intervention, affected communities face the threat of further disease outbreaks. Expanded immunisation, strengthened disease surveillance, nutritional care and improved water, sanitation and hygiene services are therefore urgently needed," Governor Ali said.

The county boss also raised concerns over unexploded ordnance and other explosive devices continuing to land in civilian areas and public facilities, posing a serious threat to Kenyans and people fleeing the conflict zone.

"I call upon the relevant national security agencies to sustain measures to protect civilians and ensure that all suspected unexploded ordnance is secured and safely cleared by qualified personnel," he said.

He said the conflict had not only threatened lives but also disrupted businesses, cross-border trade and electricity supply.

Mr Ali acknowledged that several humanitarian agencies and local residents had stepped in to provide assistance but said more needed to be done to avert a worsening crisis.

"I therefore appeal to the National Government, UN agencies, humanitarian organisations and all development partners to intensify their support.

"Immediate priorities include emergency shelter and essential household supplies; medicines, immunisation and nutritional treatment; safe water, sanitation and hygiene; and protection services for women, children and others at heightened risk, including psychosocial care and measures to prevent gender-based violence," he said.

Governor Ali said the Marsabit County Government had stepped up its response, prioritising health and nutrition services, safer temporary shelters and targeted assistance to host communities.

dmuchui@ke.nationmedia.com

Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.