By The Weekly Vision Correspondent
Mandera County, one of Kenya’s most volatile border regions with Somalia, is facing a worsening crisis amid allegations that foreign forces have infiltrated its territory and established unauthorised bases. The claims have provoked outrage, raising serious concerns over national sovereignty, regional security, and the government’s muted response to an escalating threat.
Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif has raised the alarm, alleging that Jubaland forces from Somalia’s semi-autonomous state have entrenched themselves in Mandera. Reports indicate that the troops have taken over BP1 Primary School and turned it into a military training camp. The school has since been closed, disrupting learning just weeks before national examinations.
“It is unconscionable to shut down a public school and convert it into a military outpost,” Governor Khalif declared, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the forces. He also accused the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) of either colluding with or turning a blind eye to this violation of sovereignty.
The presence of Jubaland militia, loyal to President Ahmed Madobe, adds further complexity. While Jubaland has acted as a buffer in Kenya’s fight against al-Shabaab, its forces are also entangled in clan conflicts and repeated clashes with Somalia’s federal army. Why these troops have crossed into Mandera, and why Kenyan authorities have allowed their presence, remains a central and troubling question.
Governor Khalif has also issued a warning to Ethiopia, urging the northern neighbour not to use Mandera as a staging ground for Somalia’s internal wars. “If Ethiopia wishes to support Somalia, they must use their own border, not Mandera town,” he cautioned, highlighting fears of regional entanglement in Somalia’s instability.
The controversy is unfolding against a politically charged backdrop. Recently impeached former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has inflamed the debate by claiming that Mandera is under al-Shabaab’s influence and alleging secret meetings between President William Ruto and the extremist group. Although Gachagua later clarified that his remarks were directed at the president rather than Mandera residents, the allegations have sparked a storm. Reports suggest that Washington is closely watching Nairobi over possible extremist links, adding international scrutiny to Kenya’s leadership.
For Mandera’s residents, the situation is dire. Destroyed farmlands, disrupted water supplies, and an atmosphere of fear dominate daily life. “Hunger is killing us, our properties are ruined, and no one speaks for us,” one resident lamented. Senator Ali Roba, leader of the United Democratic Movement (UDM), echoed these fears, condemning the “constant threat” from Somalia’s conflicts.
“Stray bullets, rockets, and live ordnance are landing on Kenyan soil, endangering lives and property,” Roba said, describing the spillover as a blatant violation of sovereignty. He painted a grim picture of life in Mandera, where children cannot play outside and businesses close early for fear of violence.
The senator has urged the government to take decisive action, pressing Nairobi to engage both the Federal Government of Somalia and the Jubaland administration. “Their wars are crossing our border, violating our sovereignty. Kenya must protect Mandera’s people at all costs,” he insisted. The crisis in Mandera underscores the county’s vulnerability, caught between Somalia’s instability and Kenya’s internal political turmoil. With al-Shabaab exploiting porous borders and allegations of foreign troops operating on Kenyan soil, the government faces a critical test of its resolve. Immediate action is vital to restore order and prevent Mandera from becoming a battleground for external conflicts.
