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The United Kingdom has issued a new Moyale travel advisory for Kenya. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) now advises against all but essential travel to Moyale town and up to 5km around it, including the border with Ethiopia. The FCDO published the change at 17:00 GMT on 6 November 2026 (8:00pm East Africa Time), and updated its “Warnings and insurance” and “Regional risks” pages for Kenya.
Source: FCDO foreign travel advice for Kenya, last updated 6 November 2026, read on 7 November 2026.
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What the Moyale travel advisory changes
Before this update, Moyale was not on the FCDO’s list of areas in Kenya where it advises against travel. Moyale town and a 5km radius around it, including the border crossing with Ethiopia, now sit in the “all but essential travel” category. That is the lower of the FCDO’s two warning levels. It is the same level that already applies to Garissa Town, parts of Tana River County north of the river, and a 15km coastal strip between the Tana and Galana rivers.
The advisory is written for British nationals. It is not a Kenyan government travel ban. The Moyale border crossing is not closed by the advisory, and Kenyan citizens are not barred from travelling.
Why the FCDO updated its Moyale travel advisory
The FCDO’s new Kenya-Ethiopia border section says that since October 2026, violence in the Ethiopian town of Moyale has affected the border area, including the Kenyan side. It reports stray gunfire, unexploded ordnance and projectiles landing in and up to 3km around the Kenyan town of Moyale, with deaths and injuries, as well as disruption at the Moyale border crossing. It says the situation is unpredictable and could get worse without warning.
For anyone who still crosses at Moyale, the FCDO says to stay alert, follow local authorities’ instructions, keep to the A2 road, and drive directly to Marsabit before breaking the journey. It also asks travellers to read its Ethiopia advice before crossing.
Other areas on the UK’s Kenya warning list
The update does not change the FCDO’s stricter warnings elsewhere. It still advises against all travel to:
- Mandera County;
- Tarbaj and Wajir East constituencies in Wajir County, except Wajir Town;
- areas of Wajir County within 60km of the border with Somalia;
- Garissa County, except Garissa Town, Lagdera constituency and parts of Balambala constituency north and west of the main Saka road;
- Lamu County, except Lamu Island and Manda Island.
It advises against all but essential travel to Garissa Town, Tana River County north of the Tana River as far as Saka, the 15km coastal strip between the Tana and Galana rivers, and now Moyale. For Lamu and Manda islands, it says to fly to Lamu Airport and not travel by road.
What the Moyale travel advisory means for insurance
The FCDO warns that travel insurance may be invalidated if you travel against its advice. Anyone insured through a UK policy who must go to Moyale should check with their insurer before travelling.
The same FCDO page also restates a separate Kenyan rule that has applied since 5 October 2026. Most visitors staying under 12 months must hold Kenyan government-provided travel health insurance. People applying for an Electronic Travel Authorisation buy it as part of the application, and those with an existing eTA buy it on the eCitizen insurance portal. The FCDO says foreign travel insurance is not accepted in place of this cover, which lasts 90 days with multiple entries. Kenyan citizens, Kenyan residents, East African Community citizens, and transit passengers who do not pass through immigration are exempt.
What it means for business and the diaspora
Moyale is a key road crossing between Kenya and Ethiopia on the A2 road through Marsabit. Companies that send British staff or contractors to the area may need to review duty-of-care rules, travel approvals and insurance, because many employer travel policies follow FCDO categories. Kenyans in the UK planning family visits to Marsabit County should also check the advisory and their insurance before booking.
The FCDO has not published a review date. Advisories can be raised or lowered at short notice, so check the live page before you travel. For background on cross-border trade plans in the area, see our report on the KPA Moyale dry port and Lake Turkana ferry.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Moyale border closed?
The FCDO advisory does not close it. It reports disruption at the crossing and tells travellers to follow local authorities’ instructions.
When was the Moyale travel advisory issued?
The FCDO published it on 6 November 2026 at 17:00 GMT (8:00pm East Africa Time).
Can I still drive from Kenya to Ethiopia through Moyale?
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel. If you must cross, it says to stay on the A2 and drive directly to Marsabit.
Does the advisory affect my travel insurance?
Possibly. The FCDO says insurance can be invalidated if you travel against its advice. Check your policy.
Related guide: Kenya Travel Health Insurance 2026: Cost, Cover and Who Must Buy It.
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