THE government has beefed up security on the Moyale and Ethiopia border to stem the spillover of the fighting between two communities in the neighbouring country. Last week, 18 people were killed and several others displaced in southern Ethiopia following a clash between the Garre and Borana clans.

Marsabit county commissioner Isaih Nakoru yesterday assured that the conflict will not spillover to the Kenyan side, adding that security forces are patrolling the area to ensure security. He said the situation has normalised, adding that people have returned to their normal businesses after the tension that had been caused by families crossing to Kenya to seek refuge.

The Kenya Red Cross had estimated that more than 20,000 Ethiopians had sought refugee in Moyale in Kenya. The conflict started on Wednesday on the Moyale side of Ethiopia when the rival communities clashed leaving 18 people dead and scores of families displaced. The Kenya Red Cross regional disaster management coordinator Bitacha Sora said the society has provided food, water and shelter to the displaced.

But Nakoru disputed the Kenya Red Cross figure of the displaced saying the number was half of what was reported. "The business is normal and activities are on as usual. There is no conflict in the area," said Nakoru. He appealed to the communities in Marsabit county to continue to co-exist and embrace each other in order to foster peace and development in the region. Nakoru said the region has lag behind in development for years because of clan rivalries, adding that it will be difficult to woo investors to the area unless there is peace.