KNCHR Raises Alarm as 40,000 Ethiopian Refugees Flee to Moyale

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has raised concerns over reports that approximately 40,000 people have sought refuge in Moyale after fleeing unrest in Ethiopia.

In a statement on Tuesday, October 27, the commission said thousands of the people were staying in temporary shelters, while others had sought accommodation with relatives and friends, raising concerns about access to basic necessities and protection for those escaping the unrest.

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"More than 15,000 are reportedly accommodated in eight temporary shelters, while over 20,000 are staying with relatives and friends. Reported shelter locations include St. Mary's Catholic Church, Harhosha Secondary School, Manyatta Burji, Sessi and Lanzi Mosque Hospital, among other sites," the statement read.

KNCHR warned that the growing number of people arriving in Moyale was straining available resources, particularly as the area experienced rainy weather that could worsen living conditions and increase health risks.

"The influx is placing significant pressure on host communities and available resources, particularly food, clean water, shelter, sanitation and healthcare. 

"Although the situation was reported calm on both sides of the border as at the morning of this statement, rain across the Moyale area heightens concerns about exposure, sanitation and possible communicable disease outbreaks," the statement added.

The commission also highlighted the urgent healthcare needs among the displaced population, citing reports of four women who had given birth at different locations.

"Reports that two women gave birth at Manyatta and two others at Bitiye further underline the urgent need for maternal, newborn and reproductive healthcare, emergency treatment and postnatal support," the statement further read.

KNCHR stressed that authorities had a responsibility to protect the rights of all people within Kenya's jurisdiction, irrespective of their nationality or immigration status.

"The Commission stresses that human rights protection does not cease at national borders. Every person within Kenya's jurisdiction is entitled to dignity and the protection of the law, regardless of nationality, ethnicity or immigration status. 

"Article 28 of the Constitution guarantees respect for and protection of inherent human dignity, while Article 21(1) obliges the State and every State organ to observe, respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights in the Bill of Rights," the statement noted.

The commission called on the Kenyan and Ethiopian governments to coordinate efforts to manage cross-border movements safely and humanely, address the causes of displacement and strengthen humanitarian cooperation to find lasting solutions to the persistent conflict.

It urged the national government and the Department of Refugee Services to coordinate the reception, registration, documentation and protection screening of those arriving in Moyale. 

KNCHR also called for border management measures that comply with the law, avoid discrimination and respect the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning people to places where they face persecution or serious harm.

The Ministry of Health and the Marsabit County Government were urged to deploy medical teams, personnel and supplies to all affected locations. 

The commission said priority should be given to emergency treatment, reproductive healthcare, safe deliveries, antenatal and postnatal services, immunisation, nutrition and the treatment of acute illnesses.

It further called for stronger disease surveillance, access to safe water, improved sanitation, proper waste disposal and measures to prevent disease outbreaks.

Disaster management authorities were asked to conduct rapid assessments of the needs of displaced people and coordinate the provision of food, water, shelter suited to the weather, sanitation, healthcare and other essential services. 

KNCHR emphasised that assistance should also reach people staying with host families, rather than being limited to those in formal shelters.

The commission urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Kenya Red Cross and other humanitarian partners to mobilise emergency resources and technical support based on assessed needs.

The assistance, it said, should include food, clean water, shelter, hygiene supplies, healthcare, child protection and psychosocial support, alongside accessible and accountable channels for complaints and referrals.

KNCHR also called on protection agencies and service providers to establish referral systems for women and girls at risk of violence or exploitation, unaccompanied or separated children, persons with disabilities, older people and others requiring specialised assistance. 

It stressed the need for confidential and culturally sensitive psychosocial care, including support for women who had given birth and their newborns.

Security agencies and border authorities were urged to maintain public safety while ensuring that security measures remained lawful, necessary, proportionate and non-discriminatory. 

The commission maintained that security screening should complement humanitarian assistance rather than replace it.

Local leaders, religious institutions, host communities and civil society organisations were also encouraged to continue supporting the affected population in coordination with authorities. 

KNCHR called for the identification of urgent needs, the sharing of verified information and efforts to prevent stigma, exploitation and discrimination, while ensuring that the welfare of host communities was also addressed.

"KNCHR urges all responsible authorities and partners to act urgently, in coordination and with compassion, so that everyone seeking safety in Moyale is protected by the law and can access essential humanitarian assistance," the statement concluded.

This comes weeks after President William Ruto directed the government to undertake a 90-day regularisation exercise for foreign nationals conducting business in Kenya.

In a statement on Tuesday, September 8, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed the directive follows an engagement between the President and Kenyan traders, during which traders raised concerns about the impact of foreign participation in informal businesses on Kenyans.

Mohamed said the President had reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to protecting economic opportunities for Kenyans while also safeguarding the rights of foreign nationals who are lawfully residing and conducting business in the country.

"The President reaffirmed the Government’s responsibility to protect and expand economic opportunities for Kenyan citizens, particularly within the micro and small-enterprise sector that sustains millions of households. 

"He equally affirmed the Government’s duty to safeguard the rights and legitimate interests of foreign nationals who are lawfully resident, employed, investing or conducting business in Kenya," the statement read.

Mohamed further said the government would continue supporting regional integration within the East African Community and broader African integration, including through the African Continental Free Trade Area.

"Kenya’s commitment to the East African Community, regional integration and the greater unity of the African continent remains firm. We will continue to facilitate the movement of people, labour, services and capital in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory frameworks, while advancing continental integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area and other instruments of African cooperation," the statement noted.