The Ministry of Defence has been criticised over its silence and inaction amid growing fears in Mandera, where Jubaland forces are reported to have entered Kenyan territory, displacing residents and disrupting daily life.
Leaders have questioned the lack of response from Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya and President William Ruto, warning that the continued presence of foreign troops threatens Kenya’s sovereignty and the safety of local communities.
Former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa on Sunday questioned CS Tuya for what he termed her “deafening silence” over the looming crisis in Mandera.
Wamalwa argued that the country’s Defence chief should be at the forefront in publicly addressing the matter to protect Kenyans living along the border.
“It is a violation of our sovereignty and our territorial integrity. I am surprised that up to now, the Defence CS has not said anything, and we have not heard anything from the Kenya Defence Forces. Are they allowing Jubaland forces to operate within Kenyan territory?” he posed.
The DAP-K party leader further questioned whether the said operations have the blessing of President Ruto.
“We cannot allow foreign forces who are heavily armed to come and start operating within our territory. The people of Mandera today are living in fear; some cannot access their farms or get their children to school. Some are moving away,” Wamalwa said.
He also demanded that the government withdraw military personnel from the ongoing peacekeeping mission in Haiti.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua echoed Wamalwa’s concerns, faulting the government over its silence regarding the invasion. He called on President Ruto to deploy the Kenya Defence Forces to drive the Jubaland forces out of the border area and restore normalcy in Mandera town.
“And it cannot be that foreign forces are in our land and the government is quiet. The commander-in-chief is quiet. We are asking the commander-in-chief of the Kenya Defence Forces to immediately order an operation to flush out foreign troops from our land. This is our country. We have a responsibility to protect our territorial integrity,” Gachagua said.
He warned that the presence of the foreign militia poses a direct threat to Kenya’s sovereignty.
“It cannot be that forces from Somalia can come into Kenya and occupy our land and terrorise our people. Yet the government is quiet and the leaders of Mandera are quiet,” he said.
Gachagua detailed the impact of the invasion, saying Jubaland forces had entered Mandera, occupying more than half the town, killing five people, injuring seven others and displacing many, including schoolchildren. Speaking at a Sunday service at PCEA Ongata Rongai and later at a public rally, he reiterated his call for action and accused local leaders of failing to respond.
“The other day, I called a TV station and said the forces are in Mandera. That is when I’m now seeing the governor seek assistance, yet last weekend when they were there, he was not speaking, the Senator and MPs were not speaking,” Gachagua said.
This follows Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif’s demand for the immediate withdrawal of Jubaland troops, claiming they had set up a camp at BP1 Primary School, forcing its closure and displacing students preparing for national exams.
“Mandera cannot be turned into a battleground for Somalia. We have no interest in Somalia except for peace. If the forces are not removed immediately, we will take action ourselves. You cannot close schools, farms, and water supplies in the name of supporting a faction in Somalia,” Adan said.
Adan revealed that fighting between the Somali National Army and Jubaland forces spilt across the border, disrupting lives and threatening local safety. He questioned Defence CS Tuya’s silence and called for KDF intervention.
“KDF must pull out of supporting Jubaland forces,” he said.
