Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali has condemned ongoing violence in Ethiopia, calling for an immediate ceasefire, peaceful dialogue and increased humanitarian assistance for displaced families seeking refuge in Moyale Sub-County of Kenya.

Speaking during a visit to Odda Mission Church (OMC) Secondary School in Moyale, where approximately 4,800 Ethiopians refugees are sheltered, Ali expressed concern over the worsening humanitarian situation and the risk of the conflict spilling into Kenya.

The governor, accompanied by Marsabit County Commissioner Stanley Kamande, Deputy Governor Solomon Riwe and representatives of humanitarian agencies, said the violence had caused significant suffering, displacement and disruption of livelihoods.

He called on leaders, community elders and other public figures to exercise restraint in their public statements, warning that inflammatory rhetoric, hate speech and misinformation could heighten tensions and undermine peaceful coexistence.

Ali urged political leaders and community representatives to promote dialogue, mutual understanding and unity, emphasizing the importance of responsible communication during periods of insecurity.

He also called on security agencies to investigate cases of hate speech and incitement to violence, particularly messages circulated on social media that could threaten peace and stability.

“Leadership calls for responsibility, especially during moments of tension. We must restrain ourselves and promote peace rather than fuel animosity,” Governor Ali said.

The governor urged residents of Marsabit County, particularly the youth, to reject rumours, hate speech and retaliatory violence. He noted that communities on both sides of the border shared longstanding relationships built on coexistence, trade and mutual support.

Ali said a preliminary report indicated that approximately 40,000 people have crossed from Ethiopia into Marsabit County, placing additional pressure on host communities, essential services and available humanitarian resources.

He acknowledged the support provided by the national government and humanitarian partners, including the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNICEF, the Kenya Red Cross Society and other agencies.

The assistance includes food, shelter materials, household items, water and sanitation services, and nutritional assessments.

The governor welcomed planned WFP food assistance targeting 16,000 but stressed that more support was urgently needed to address the growing needs of displaced families.

He appealed to international partners, humanitarian organizations and other well-wishers to increase the provision of food, medicines, shelter materials and other essential supplies, warning that local resources were already stretched.

Ali further called for special attention to vulnerable groups, particularly children and expectant mothers, urging humanitarian agencies to ensure they receive adequate healthcare, nutrition and protection.

Marsabit County Commissioner Stanley Kamande assured residents that security agencies had intensified patrols in Moyale to maintain law and order.

He said police officers, Kenya Defence Forces personnel and other security units had been deployed to support security operations in the area.

Kamande added that investigations were underway into seven individuals suspected of circulating inflammatory messages on social media, noting that those found culpable would face the law.

He urged residents to disregard unverified information circulating online, maintaining that Marsabit County remains calm and that communities continue to coexist peacefully.

Deputy Governor Solomon Gubo Riwe and Kenya Red Cross representative Malik Adan thanked government agencies, local communities and humanitarian partners for supporting displaced families.

The Governor called for strengthened border security, noting that reports of heavy artillery fire near the Ethiopia-Kenya border had heightened fear among residents, disrupting learning activities and affected businesses in Moyale.

He urged all parties involved in the conflict to embrace dialogue and pursue a peaceful resolution to their differences, warning that continued fighting would deepen human suffering and increase pressure on communities in northern Kenya.

The governor emphasized that maintaining peace required collective responsibility from leaders, security agencies, community elders, young people and residents.

He called for unity, responsible leadership and sustained humanitarian support to protect displaced families, strengthen relations among border communities and prevent further escalation of the conflict.

by Anthony Melly