Mandera Senator Ali Roba has issued a stern warning to President William Ruto following the escalating presence of the Jubaland forces in Mandera town.
In an official statement on Wednesday, September 3, the Senator argued that the situation, as it stands, threatens Kenya’s sovereignty and security.
In the statement, the Senator demanded immediate action to remove the foreign troops from Kenyan soil. He revealed that residents in the county are living in fear due to their presence.
‘’Jubaland forces are now inside Mandera town. Schools have been shut down, businesses paralyzed, and families displaced in fear of stray bullets, RPGs, and unexploded ordnance,’’ the senator said.
‘’Shockingly, Jubaland forces are consolidating their strength inside Mandera town on Kenyan soil, literally taking over our community. This is a humiliation of our sovereignty,’’ the senator continued.
According to the senator, any negative consequence caused by the presence of the forces would be blamed on the national government.
‘’The Government of Kenya will bear full responsibility for any deaths, injuries, or destruction of property in Mandera. As leaders, our loyalty and constitutional duty are first and foremost to our people,’’ Roba said.
The senator has threatened the Kenya Kwanza government that if the troops are not removed soon, they would face grassroots mobilization by local residents.
‘’If the government fails to act immediately and decisively to remove Jubaland forces from Mandera County, we will be forced to mobilise ourselves to defend our people, an outcome that will endanger peace and cause grave international embarrassment for Kenya,’’ Roba warned.
The senator’s remarks come amid rising tensions along the Kenya–Somalia border, where clashes between Somalia’s federal forces and Jubaland state troops have spilt into Mandera County.
Senator Roba also noted that such regional conflicts should not spill over into Kenyan territory. Meanwhile, leaders, including Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen have assured Kenyans and Mandera residents that there is no security breach over the Jubaland tension.
