Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki on Monday, May 15, announced that Kenya would engage in a phased opening of border entry points to Somalia.
The CS explained that the exercise would take 90 days effective immediately bringing an end to a decade border block.
Kindiki announced this when he hosted a high-level delegation from Somalia led by the ministers Mohamed Ahmed Sheikh Ali (Internal Security), Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur (Defence) and Abshir Omar Jama (Foreign Affairs).
“Among the commitments that we have made is the signing of an outcome document which lays a road map of where we are going from here.
“We have agreed to review agreements in place to enable free movement of our people by relooking at the Visa procedure,” the CS stated.
Kindiki stated that Kenya and Somalia were looking at the possibility of a border at three key entry points.
“We have resolved that the border between Kenya and Somali will be reopened in a phased-out manner within the next 90 days effective today,” he ordered.
The Interior CS revealed that the first entry point to be opened would be Mandera – Bula Hawa border and that would happen within 30 days.
“Within 60 days from now, we will open the second border point which is Liboi – Dhobley.
“And 90 days from today we hope to open the last border point which is Kiunga – Ras Kamboni in Lamu County,” Kindiki detailed how the phased process would unfold.
Apart from the three entry points, Kindiki revealed that the two governments were looking at the possibility of adding a fourth entry point in Wajir County.
Kindiki and his counterpart from Somalia further resolved to strengthen cross-border communication and information-sharing exchange between the two countries.
“We will also develop modalities of addressing cross-border challenges appreciating the nature of transnational threats that require a coordinated and comprehensive response by the two countries,” Kindiki stated.
Other areas the two leaders agreed were on enhancing border infrastructure and management as well as enhancing the operational capacity of border security and law enforcement agencies to effectively respond to cross-border threats.
