The security forces were Sunday put on high alert on the border with Ethiopia to prevent a spillover of fighting in that country into Kenya.

The fighting, involving three rival communities in Ethiopia's Region 4 and Region 5 provinces, has been going on for the past few days, raising fears that it may spill over into Kenya as has happened in the past.

Both regions border Moyale District in northern Kenya.

"Our security forces are now patrolling the border to prevent those involved in the war from crossing over into Kenya," Moyale district commissioner Joshua Nkatha told Nation Sunday.

Defuse tension

The DC had on Saturday convened three meetings to address the issue and defuse tension in the border district.

In the first meeting, Mr Nkatha met all the chiefs and their assistants. The meeting took place at his office.

The chiefs are said to have informed the DC that three Ethiopians involved in the war had entered into Kenya.

It was not clear whether they were armed.

Tension has remained high, the chiefs are said to have told the DC since the Ethiopians may have come to hide in Kenya after launching an attack against their rivals.

Ethiopians in past combats have always extended their differences into Kenya.