Hundreds cross into Kenya as gunfire erupts in Ethiopian border town

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Hundreds of Ethiopians fled across the border into Kenya on Thursday amid gunfire and unrest in the border town of Moyale, Kenyan police said.

Multiple incidents of gunfire were seen, but the police did not disclose the source of the gunfire.  A bullet struck a metal bar supporting a tent at the football ground of Moyale police station, narrowly missing a police officer, according to a police report. A woman sustained a gunshot wound to the neck and was taken to a private hospital, where the bullet was removed. She was reported to be in stable condition. Another bullet shattered a window at La-Tahsan Hotel. 

In a separate security brief issued on Thursday, police said hundreds of Ethiopians had entered Kenya through several crossing points in Moyale, including Sessi, Kore, Biashara, Foundation and Miti.

The arrivals began on Wednesday, with women, children and young people making up most of those crossing the border, the brief said.

Kenyan police said the Ethiopians were fleeing tensions between leaders of Ethiopia’s Oromia and Somali regional states.

The Kenya Red Cross said it was arranging temporary shelters and distributing essential supplies, including cereal and porridge flour, to people arriving from Ethiopia. The organisation said its initial response would support 1,000 households.

According to the police brief, gunfire was heard on the Ethiopian side of the border from around 5:50 AM on Thursday and continued afterward.