Kenya prepares to register 50,000 Ethiopian refugees fleeing regional violence
Following violent clashes between Ethiopia's Oromia and Somali regional leaders, approximately 50,000 Ethiopians have fled to Kenya, awaiting registration and aid in the border city of Moyale. The UNHCR has granted them temporary protection status and is coordinating with Kenyan authorities and humanitarian groups to provide assistance.
Brève Publié le (Africa/Lagos, UTC+1) · date de l'événement : 2026-10-29
Approximately 50,000 Ethiopians displaced by recent clashes between the Oromia and Somali regions have crossed into Kenya and are awaiting registration in the border city of Moyale, according to Africanews reporting on November 3, 2026.
The unrest began on October 20 after a Somali regional flag was raised on the Ethiopian side of Moyale, a city jointly administered by the two regions, sparking deadly clashes. As of October 29, the UN reported that 50,000 people had fled into Kenya, a significant increase from 36,000 just two days earlier.
Many of the displaced are women and children seeking refuge in temporary shelters such as schools and churches, while others stay with relatives or host communities. The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, has granted these individuals temporary international protection status and deployed an emergency team to assist them.
UNHCR is working closely with the Kenyan government and humanitarian organizations including the Red Cross to provide aid and support to the displaced population. Registration is taking place at Al-huda primary school in Moyale.