Mandera Senator Ali Roba has sounded the alarm over the alleged presence of Jubaland forces inside Mandera town, warning that the situation poses a direct threat to Kenya’s sovereignty and the safety of its citizens.
In a statement Wednesday, Roba described the situation in Mandera as “alarming,” claiming that schools had been shut down, businesses paralyzed, and families displaced as Jubaland and Somalia’s federal forces build up weapons and prepare for confrontation.
“Jubaland forces are now inside Mandera town, literally taking over our community. This is a humiliation of our sovereignty,” Roba said.
“The absurdity of a regional state government fighting its federal government is akin to Mandera County Government declaring war against the Republic of Kenya, yet we are now hosting these foreign forces on our soil.”
He further hinted at possible self-mobilization by local leaders and residents if the state failed to act swiftly.
If the government fails to act immediately and decisively to remove Jubaland forces from Mandera County, we will be forced to mobilize ourselves to defend our people— an outcome that will endanger peace and cause grave international embarrassment for Kenya,” Roba warned.
His remarks came just a few hours after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen dismissed fears of Jubaland forces operating in Mandera, insisting that Kenya’s security agencies remain in control and that there is “no cause for alarm.”
Murkomen said cross-border movements are often the result of civilians fleeing conflict in Somalia and assured that no schools in Mandera are occupied by foreign troops.
He urged local leaders not to politicize security matters, emphasizing that all complaints are under investigation.
