Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has condemned the killing of six people in Mandera County, blaming what he described as illegal incursions by Jubaland forces into Kenyan territory.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday, Gachagua expressed condolences to the families of those killed during the deadly ambush in Arabia Sub-County and wished the injured a quick recovery.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. Two days ago we witnessed and received sad news from Northern Kenya where we lost patriotic Kenyans in an act of aggression and incursion by Jubaland forces who continue to be on the Kenyan soil illegally,” Gachagua said.
The former deputy president claimed he had earlier warned about the growing security threat posed by foreign armed groups operating within Mandera County.
“Last year, I warned about the serious security threat posed by the presence of illegal foreign Jubaland forces in the territory of the Republic of Kenya when they had occupied almost the entire Mandera Town. This tragic incident has sadly confirmed those fears,” he added.
The attack occurred on Saturday afternoon when armed assailants ambushed a passenger vehicle travelling towards Arabia town in Mandera County, killing six people and injuring several others.
Authorities said the victims were heading to a religious gathering when gunmen opened fire near the Omar Jillo and Beer-Awayon areas.
Mandera County Police Commander Robinson Ndiwa confirmed that four armed men attacked the minibus carrying about 15 passengers before fleeing into nearby bushes. Security agencies have since launched a manhunt for the attackers.
Local leaders, including Lafey MP Mohamed Abdikheir, condemned the killings and called for swift investigations and enhanced security along the volatile Kenya-Somalia border.
While authorities have not officially linked the attack to Jubaland forces, the incident has renewed concerns over insecurity in Kenya’s northeastern region, which has previously suffered attacks linked to cross-border militants and armed groups operating near the Somalia border.
Gachagua accused the government of failing to protect Kenya’s territorial integrity and demanded the immediate withdrawal of all foreign armed forces allegedly operating inside the country.
“We cannot trade the territorial integrity of our nation for cheap business and political gains of a few individuals at the helm of our nation,” he said.
