Nairobi, – The Government of Kenya has denied reports alleging that troops from Somalia’s Jubbaland State have crossed into Mandera County. The Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, insisted there was no credible evidence that Jubbaland security forces were inside Kenyan territory, though he confirmed that security investigations are ongoing.
Murkomen emphasized that the individuals recently spotted crossing the border were largely Somali civilians fleeing conflict, not combatants. He further stressed that the issue should not be politicized: “This is a matter of national security, not political point-scoring. The Government of Kenya remains fully committed to safeguarding our borders and protecting our citizens,” he said.
Despite the government’s assurances, Mandera leaders have expressed deep concern. Senator Ali Roba warned that the alleged presence of Jubbaland troops has already disrupted daily life, forcing schools and businesses to close and creating a climate of fear among local residents.
Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif went further, accusing Jubbaland forces of converting a school into a military base, an act he said displaced both students and families.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga described the situation as “a direct threat to Kenya’s sovereignty” and urged Parliament to summon the government for a formal briefing on border security.
The Mandera border area has long been volatile, with frequent clashes and spillover violence from Somalia’s Gedo region. In 2021, Jubbaland forces were expelled from the Somali border town of Beled-Hawo after heavy fighting with Somali federal troops. That history now fuels skepticism in Kenya about Jubbaland’s ability to operate both within Somalia and near Kenya’s borders without incident.
Kenya maintains that it will continue investigating the reports in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia to ensure accurate verification of troop movements. Officials in Nairobi stress that joint border security is essential to prevent both armed infiltration and humanitarian fallout from ongoing Somali conflicts.
While the Kenyan government downplays claims of Jubbaland troops inside Mandera, the discrepancy between official reassurances and local leaders’ warnings highlights a trust deficit. For border communities accustomed to living under the shadow of Somali conflicts, even rumors of armed groups crossing the frontier can spark panic. Until Nairobi and Mogadishu deliver transparent findings, the controversy will remain a flashpoint in Kenya’s delicate balance between diplomacy, border security, and domestic politics.
