CS Soipan Tuya’s silence questioned amid reports of Jubaland forces in Mandera

Wamalwa argued that as the country’s Defence chief Tuya should be in the fore front to publicly address the matter to protect Kenyans living along the border. 

“It is a violation of our sovereignty and our territorial integrity. I am surprised that upto now Defence CS has not said anything, we have not heard anything from KDF. Are they allowing Jubaland forces to operate within Kenyan territory,” said Wamalwa. 

The DAP-K party leader further questioned whether the said operations have the blessing of the Commander-in-Chief, William Ruto. 

“We can not 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 can not access their farms or get their children to school. There are those that are moving away,” said Wamalwa.

On the other hand, Wamalwa demanded that the government withdraws the military personnel from the ongoing peacekeeping mission in Haiti.

Last week, Mandera Governor Adan Khalif raised alarm on the presence of Jubaland forces in the county, stating that school children have been misplaced to allow their training.

“Mandera cannot be turned into a battleground for Somalia. We have no interest in Somalia, we have no business to be involved in their internal affairs,” said Khalif. 

Khalif demanded immediate relocation of the Jubaland forces, questioning the silence of Defence CS Tuya. 

“KDF must pull out of supporting Jubaland forces.” 

On Sunday, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also questioned the presence of the foreign militia that he termed as a threat to Kenya’s sovereignty.

He told President William Ruto to deploy the Kenya Defence Forces to Mandera to expel Jubaland forces allegedly operating within the town.

“It cannot be that forces from Somalia can come into Kenya and occupy our land and terrorize our people. Yet the government is quiet and the leaders of Mandera are quiet,” Gachagua stated. 

"We are asking the commander-in-chief of the Kenya Defence Forces to immediately order an operation to flush out foreign troops out of our land. This is our country."