Effects of the Ethiopian conflict continue to escalate on the Kenyan side of the border town of Moyale. Kenyan authorities have now shifted their focus to identifying internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Moyale following the growing threat posed by stray bullets and rocket-propelled grenades from ongoing clashes across the border.
This comes as it has emerged that, besides the thousands of Ethiopians seeking refuge in Kenya, several Kenyan families have fled their homes due to recurrent incidents involving stray ammunition.
However, the number of Kenyans who have fled their homes due to artillery fire and stray bullets is yet to be officially established.
The affected areas include Lami, Manyatta Heillu, Sessi and sections of Moyale town where rocket-propelled grenades and bullets have destroyed houses.
Ethiopians displaced by ongoing clashes in Moyale undergo registration at OMC camp in Moyale, Marsabit County on November 2, 2026.
Photo credit: David Muchui | Nation
On Wednesday, Kenyan government officials and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) country representative Fatima Mohammed-Cole visited Moyale town as humanitarian agencies stepped up their interventions.
According to acting Commissioner for Refugee Affairs Mercy Mwasaru, the Kenyan government was closely monitoring the security situation in Moyale.
She said senior security chiefs will visit Moyale on Thursday to assess the security situation and protect Kenyans against the foreign conflict.
"This is now a matter of national security concern. It has been escalated to ensure that citizens and their property are protected," Ms Mwasaru said.
She said the department would work with elders and county government officials to establish the number of displaced Kenyans.
"We have three categories of affected people, including Ethiopians, Kenyans and other nationalities who were doing business in Ethiopia. We also have IDPs comprising those fleeing stray bullets. The Deputy County Commissioner's office and the county government will identify IDPs and displaced persons living with families in Moyale," she said.
Two men rest on a bench at a temporary shelter at Oriental Mission Church camp in Moyale on November 3, 2026, during the identification and registration of people displaced from Ethiopia.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Ms Mwasaru said extensive engagement was ongoing between Kenya and Ethiopia to address the conflict.
Mr Abdikadir Wako, an elder in Moyale, told the delegation that many Kenyans living near the border had relocated due to safety concerns.
"Besides supporting the displaced persons, take note that there are Kenyan IDPs who should also be taken care of. This is a matter of grave concern that should be urgently addressed by the government of Kenya," Mr Wako said.
UNHCR country representative Fatima Mohammed-Cole expressed concern over the safety of Kenyans and Ethiopians fleeing the conflict amid rising cases of stray ammunition.
"Initially, we were responding to the issue of displaced populations, but it has dawned on us that we also have Kenyan IDPs. Therefore, we must agree on how to support the returnees, IDPs and displaced persons," Ms Mohammed-Cole said.
She called on the Kenyan government to urgently address the security threats posed by stray bullets.
"If Kenyans are not safe, we are also not safe. The Kenyan government may be faced with the displacement of its citizens due to insecurity. The national security team must know that this situation is very serious," she said.
Moyale Sub-County Police Commander George Kipkoros said one Kenyan woman had been reported missing after crossing into Ethiopia.
He said two people were injured by stray bullets on Wednesday afternoon as fresh fighting broke out across the border.
"The woman crossed to sell fruits, and her whereabouts remain unknown. Om Wednesday, one person was shot in the leg and another on the back. Seven rocket-propelled grenades have been recovered and detonated by the Kenya Defence Forces. Some houses have been destroyed by the grenades," Mr Kipkoros said.
An elderly woman is helped to the registration desk at Al Huda Muslim Centre in Moyale on November 3,2026.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Meanwhile, the Department of Refugee Services said the process of tallying displaced persons was yet to be concluded, with officials relying on a figure of 36,000 arrived at during a rapid needs assessment.
According to the Rapid Needs Assessment report by the government of Kenya, food, water, sanitation and healthcare services remain the biggest challenges facing displaced persons.
"Seventy-one per cent of all displaced households do not have access to sufficient food, making food the single most critical priority across all locations," the report states.
Displaced people are also struggling to access healthcare because of limited funds and stock-outs at public health facilities.
Marsabit County Chief of Staff Abdo Alla said local hospitals were overwhelmed by the high number of people in need of medical attention.
