All chiefs in Mandera to be armed, Murkomen says

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Monday assured of heightened security measures along the Kenya–Somalia Border One Crossing, following concerns earlier this month about the infiltration of Jubaland forces into Kenyan territory.

Speaking in Mandera, Murkomen said inland security had been fully restored at the crossing and assured residents that external conflicts would not be allowed to spill into Kenya.

“I want to ensure learners, teachers, and residents that their security is guaranteed and we won’t allow external conflict to infiltrate their homes, schools, and farms,” he said.

“It is our duty to defend and protect our citizens and borders even when they have their own fighting.”

The CS also revealed that all chiefs in Mandera County will be armed and undergo training as part of efforts to strengthen local security.

Murkomen urged residents to cooperate with security agencies to help counter al-Shabaab attacks, saying the government is committed to guaranteeing the safety of learners, teachers, and the wider community.

“We want to ensure all learners, teachers, and residents that their security is guaranteed, and we won’t allow external conflict to infiltrate their homes, schools, and farms,” he said.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions at the border after reports of Jubaland forces crossing into Kenya earlier this month.

However, Murkomen has previously castigated Kenyan opposition leaders for what he called politicising Mandera's security situation.

Some leaders, including the north-eastern county's Governor Adan Khalif, have said that the Jubaland forces were crippling services in the region. 

"I want to speak clearly: Kenya is not under any threat from Somalia or any regional force from Somalia; the only threat we face is the threat of the al-Shabaab militia,” he told a security engagement forum in Kakamega on September 5.