UK warns citizens against non-essential travel to Moyale amid Ethiopia border violence

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 7-The United Kingdom has advised its citizens against all but essential travel to Moyale town and areas within five kilometres of the Kenya-Ethiopia border following escalating violence in neighbouring Ethiopia that has triggered deaths, injuries and mass displacement.

In an updated travel advisory issued on November 6, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) added Moyale and its surrounding areas to locations where non-essential travel is discouraged, citing security incidents affecting the Kenyan side of the border.

The warning covers Moyale town and an area extending five kilometres around it, including the border crossing with Ethiopia.

“FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to Moyale Town and up to 5km around it, including to the border with Ethiopia,” the advisory stated.

The British government also warned that travellers who disregard its advice risk losing their insurance cover.

“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO),” it cautioned.

The advisory comes amid escalating clashes between communities linked to Ethiopia’s Oromia and Somali regional administrations over territorial administration, which have forced thousands of people to flee across the border into Kenya.

The FCDO said violence in the Ethiopian town of Moyale since October 2026 has affected the border region, including areas on the Kenyan side.

It reported incidents involving stray gunfire, unexploded ordnance and projectiles landing in and around the Kenyan town, resulting in fatalities and injuries.

The security situation remains unpredictable and could deteriorate without warning.

Kenyan authorities have responded by reinforcing security along the frontier to prevent the conflict from spilling further into the country.

On November 5, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja ordered additional officers deployed to Moyale following a security assessment with regional commanders.

Kanja directed officers to remain on high alert and strengthen surveillance to protect residents, their property and people fleeing the violence.

He also urged residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence to help identify and prevent potential security threats.

During the visit, the Inspector General toured camps hosting displaced Ethiopian families and assured them of enhanced security and coordinated humanitarian assistance.

The security concerns have coincided with a growing humanitarian crisis, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reporting on October 28 that up to 50,000 people had crossed into Kenya to escape the violence.

“According to local authorities up to an estimated 50,000 people have crossed into Kenya. The figure remains fluid as registration and verification efforts continue, amid reports of further crossings,” UNHCR said.

Many of those fleeing are women and children, with some accommodated in temporary shelters, including schools and churches, while others are staying with relatives and host communities.

UNHCR said food remained the most urgent need, alongside clean drinking water, emergency shelter, sanitation and healthcare.

The agency, together with UNICEF, the International Organization for Migration and the World Food Programme, is seeking 8.9 million US dollars to support up to 50,000 displaced people over three months.

The violence has also disrupted cross-border trade, with trucks stranded and businesses near the One-Stop Border Post temporarily shutting down amid fears of stray gunfire.

​Bruhan Makong is a Senior News Reporter for Capital FM in Nairobi, covering diplomacy, foreign policy, national security, climate, and human rights across East Africa and the wider region.