Home Arrow FAQs Arrow How many borders are there between Kenya and Ethiopia?

How many borders are there between Kenya and Ethiopia?

There is just one international land border separating Kenya and Ethiopia that is nearly 779 kilometers (484 miles) long. Unlike many other borders, the border between Kenya and Ethiopia is drawn as a whole line that separates the two countries along the north of Kenya and the south of Ethiopia.

Official Border Crossing Point: Moyale

Even though the border is many kilometers long, there is only one border crossing that is approved by the government and used by the general public and companies.

Moyale Border Post

  • Location: Situated in the twin town of Moyale, which straddles the Kenya–Ethiopia border.
  • Kenyan Side: Moyale town in Marsabit County.
  • Ethiopian Side: Moyale town in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR).

Moyale includes an OSBP that simplifies crossing by having both countries’ officers deal with immigration and customs at the same site. This border is the main place where Ethiopian and Kenyan goods, travelers and lorries pass, especially along the Addis Ababa–Nairobi route.

Unofficial Crossing Points and Community Mobility

Even though Moyale is the sole listed border crossing point, some of the pastoral communities living along the border make do with unofficial crossings. These routes are not monitored by border control officials, yet they are indeed significant.

  • Grazing livestock
  • Accessing water
  • Cross-border trade and family ties

Traditionally, ethnic groups such as the Borana, Gabra, Turkana and Dassanech have existed in the region and still connect culturally, socially and economically, long before the country was formed.

Still, these paths are not considered legal ways to cross and they can create serious problems with security, smuggling or fighting with neighboring countries. Thus, the countries have taken steps to watch their borders more closely and share information with one another.

Border Control and Cooperation

Both Kenya and Ethiopia have worked together for many years on managing their common borders. Initiatives include:

  • Building roads, energy systems and network links between the countries
  • Security collaborations to combat cross-border crime, human trafficking, and terrorism
  • Efforts to expand legal trade routes while discouraging illegal crossings

In spite of challenges that could occur in the borders, the relationship between the two nations is mostly smooth and cooperative.

Conclusion

In short, Kenya and Ethiopia have a non-stop land border that spans about 779 km. Only one licensed crossing is at Moyale in Ethiopia and it supports both people and goods moving between the countries. Even though locals sometimes cross the border informally, Moyale is the only official point for foreign travelers and goods. While the border defines national boundaries, it also serves as a bridge of trade, cultural exchange, and regional integration in East Africa—especially along corridors like LAPSSET.

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