Marsabit Woman Representative Naomi Waqo has urged the national government to take immediate action to contain rising insecurity along the Kenya-Ethiopia border, warning of a worsening humanitarian situation in Moyale following violent clashes between armed groups associated with Ethiopia’s Oromia and Somali regional states.
Waqo expressed concern over the growing number of Ethiopian citizens crossing into Kenya to escape the violence, with women, breastfeeding mothers and children among those seeking refuge. She noted that the continued influx was placing additional pressure on local resources, affecting livelihoods, disrupting cross-border trade and raising fears over the security of border communities.
The legislator also raised alarm over bullets reportedly fired from the Ethiopian side, some of which struck Sessi Mixed Secondary School. The incidents forced authorities to move KCSE candidates from two schools located near the border to safer areas. She further revealed that the spillover conflict had already claimed the lives of Kenyan citizens.
Waqo called on the government to disclose the number of people who have entered Kenya since October 21 and explain the measures being implemented to strengthen border surveillance and prevent further insecurity.
She also sought details of government plans to assist affected families and host communities through the provision of essential services, including food, clean water, sanitation, temporary shelter and medical supplies.
Additionally, she requested information on security assessments conducted in the affected areas and the level of coordination between government agencies and humanitarian organisations responding to the crisis.
In response, Internal Security Committee Vice-Chairperson Hon. Dido Ali Rasso confirmed that the government had begun taking steps to address the situation.
Rasso informed Parliament that the Marsabit County Security Intelligence Committee was already engaging stakeholders on the ground and holding meetings to evaluate developments along the border.
He requested seven days to allow the committee to collect the necessary information and prepare an interim report for submission to Parliament. He acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and the concerns raised by leaders representing communities affected by the cross-border violence.
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