Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has moved to clarify the government's position on reports of foreign military presence in Mandera County, assuring Kenyans that their security remains the top priority.
Speaking in Busia County on Wednesday, September 3, the CS noted that any foreign nationals currently in Kenya are not present on an official government invitation, explaining that most are seeking refuge from security challenges in their home countries.
"If there are any people from Somalia here in Kenya, it's not on official invitation. Most of the time, they run from security problems in their country. We will have our security teams investigate and account for any foreign people and make sure they go back to their stations in their country," Murkomen stated.
The Cabinet Secretary sought to reassure residents of Mandera County, emphasizing that the government maintains cordial relations with Somalia while prioritizing the fight against terrorism.
"All that you are hearing about Mandera, I want to assure you, there is no need to worry. We don't have problems with them; what we have a problem with is terrorism. Those escaping into our country because of insecurity in their country, we will return them to their country peacefully," he said.
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Murkomen acknowledged the complexity of security matters along the Kenya-Somalia border, noting that such issues require careful handling to maintain regional stability.
"We have a good working relationship with Somalia as a country. We cannot confirm who those forces in Mandera are from, but such security issues are handled in a certain way. So, regarding those civilian complaints, we assure you that your safety comes first," the CS explained.
Addressing specific concerns about educational facilities being affected, Murkomen dismissed reports of schools being occupied by foreign forces.
"The issue of a school occupied by forces, we have done research and no school has been occupied," he clarified.
The Interior CS called for unity among local leaders in addressing the situation diplomatically, emphasizing the need to maintain good neighborly relations while ensuring Kenya's sovereignty.
"I urge leaders from Mandera to work together and help each other to follow the right methods to make sure they return to their country without causing problems with our neighbors," Murkomen appealed.
The clarification comes amid growing concerns raised by regional leaders about the reported presence of Jubbaland military personnel in Mandera County.
Towards the end of August, Mandera Governor Adan Khalif expressed alarm over what he described as Jubbaland troops operating within the county, particularly around educational facilities in the border area.
The governor had called for immediate intervention from the national government, requesting the relocation of any foreign military presence from the region.
"We want to call upon President William Ruto, also the commander-in-chief, and ask that they close the BP1 camp opened recently. We are asking for an immediate relocation of Jubbaland forces out of Mandera," the governor stated.
Other political figures later echoed his concerns and questioned the circumstances surrounding the reported foreign military presence along Kenya's northern border.
“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,” former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua stated.
