MANDERA, Kenya – Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif has sounded the alarm over the alleged presence of Jubaland forces from Somalia in Mandera County, warning that the spillover of conflict across the border threatens both security and Kenya’s sovereignty.
Speaking on Friday during the launch of a dialysis centre and the laying of a foundation stone for an MRI unit and specialist clinics at the Mandera County Teaching and Referral Hospital, Khalif linked regional instability to local peace and well-being.
“Good health is inseparable from peace and security. Recently, fighting between the Somali National Army and Jubaland forces spilled into our border, disrupting lives and threatening the safety of our people. Disturbingly, some of those forces have been hosted within Kenyan territory, compromising our sovereignty and endangering our citizens. As Governor, I strongly condemn this,” Khalif said.
The governor urged all actors — local, regional, and international — to respect Kenya’s borders and work towards peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.
Protests and Displacement
Earlier this month, Mandera residents staged demonstrations demanding the withdrawal of Jubaland troops allegedly hosted inside Kenya.
Protesters accused the foreign soldiers of fueling insecurity and undermining the authority of local security agencies.
The concerns arose after heavy fighting in Bula Hawa, a Somali border town, where the Somali National Army recaptured the area from Jubaland forces following a week-long battle.
Hundreds of displaced residents fled across the border and are now sheltering in Mandera town and nearby schools.
Khalif commended local security agencies for their vigilance and thanked humanitarian organisations assisting displaced families.
“The solidarity displayed during this difficult period is a testament to our resilience as a community,” he said.
Jubaland Denies Troop Presence
Despite the claims, Jubaland’s Vice President Mohamed Sayid has denied reports that its troops crossed into Kenya, insisting the forces remain confined to Somalia’s side of the border.
The Kenyan government is yet to issue a formal statement on the matter, even as Mandera leaders warn that continued insecurity risks derailing essential services and development projects in the region.
