The United Kingdom has advised its citizens against all but essential travel to Moyale following growing insecurity along the Kenya-Ethiopia border, where cross-border violence has left two people dead and several others injured.
In a travel advisory issued on Friday, November 6, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) added Moyale to areas where British nationals should avoid travelling unless necessary.
The government also warned that travellers who ignore its advice risk losing their insurance cover.
“This might render your travel insurance null and void because it advises that traveling contrary to the advice of FCDO is not advisable,” the notice reads.
This has been caused by the conflict that broke out among forces from Oromia and Somali regions of Ethiopia causing thousands of people to flee.
According to Kenya Red Cross, over 50,000 people have crossed into Kenya trying to get away from the ongoing violence.
It has even affected Kenyan families residing around the border as some have been forced to move out of their homes due to stray bullets and rocket propelled grenades that have been fired into Kenyan territory.
The Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja says that two women, one being Kenyan while the other is Ethiopian, died when they were hit by stray bullets. Several others have been injured.
People in Moyale are now experiencing shortages in basics and disruption of electricity supply. The cost of basic goods such as rice, cooking oil and milk have skyrocketed almost two times.
The fighting has prompted more people to leave the town for safer areas, including Nairobi. Reports indicate that about 10 buses, each with a capacity of 62 passengers, have been leaving Moyale daily.
Kanja visited the border town on November 5 and said the government was increasing security personnel to protect residents and secure the border.
“A lot of effort is being put into ensuring the conflict among our neighbours is resolved. This will also facilitate the movement of Kenyans who are stranded across the border,” he said.
He added that Kenya was engaging Ethiopian authorities in efforts to resolve the situation.
Moyale is not the only area covered by the UK’s travel restrictions. The advisory also warns against travel to parts of the Kenya-Somalia border, including Mandera, El Wak, Garissa and sections of Lamu County.