You've surrendered our sovereignty, leaders tell Ruto over foreign troops

Uproar over the presence of Jubaland forces in Kenya continued, with political leaders criticising the government’s slow response.

President William Ruto, Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have been challenged to take action following the confirmation that foreign fighters had crossed the border into Kenya.

Even as Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the government “cannot confirm now whether there were forces and who they are”, leaders demanded answers.

Mandera Senator Ali Roba on Wednesday took to his social media accounts, confirming Mandera town had been taken over by the foreign troops.

“Schools have been shut down, businesses paralysed, and families displaced in fear of stray bullets, RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades) and unexploded ordnance,” he said.

“An atmosphere of fear has engulfed the entire town as both Jubaland and Somalia’s federal forces build up weapons and troops, preparing for war.”

Roba termed the “occupation” an humiliation of Kenya’s sovereignty. “The absurdity of a regional state government fighting its federal government is akin to Mandera County Government declaring war against the Republic of Kenya yet we are now hosting these foreign forces in our own town.”

According to the UDM leader, Kenya’s national interest should lie with its strategic relationship with the Somalia government and not in protecting “a rogue state government”.

“If the government fails to act immediately and decisively to remove Jubaland forces from Mandera County, we will be forced to mobilise ourselves to defend our people an outcome that will endanger peace and cause grave international embarrassment for Kenya.”

Belgut MP Nelson Koech, who chairs the National Assembly Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee, termed the issue as serious.

“This committee is seized of the matter and seriously considering what it should do in the short term. In the meantime we have requested the Ministry of Defence that it should stop its continued silence because there is a perception that they are not responsive to issues being raised by the people of Mandera and the public.”

He said the committee had sought permission from National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula to conduct own investigation.

His Nandi counterpart Samson Charargei termed the situation a clear violation of territorial integrity of the country. 

He challenged the Defence ministry, the National Security Council and other security agencies to speed up response. 

“Those that have violated the integrity in Mandera are now fugitives and must be arrested for violating the territorial integrity of Kenya. I challenge the security agencies to ensure that violation of this integrity is not allowed,” he said.

The remarks follow days of unrest in Mandera’s Border Point One area. On Tuesday, residents staged demonstrations to protest what they alleged was the presence of Jubaland forces in their villages. Some claimed their children were avoiding school due to fear of forced recruitment.

Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif had earlier raised concerns, saying it could threaten local security and Kenya’s sovereignty.

Mohamed Sayid, the vice president of Jubaland region, speaking to the BBC Somali on Saturday, stated that their forces remain on the border and had not entered Kenya.

“We are in communication with the Mandera security committee led by the county commissioner. Residents have no reason to fear for their security and safety,” he said.

Retired Chief Justice David Maraga termed the reports a grave constitutional and security violation.

He said Kenya’s sovereignty and territorial integrity should not be violated while calling on President Ruto to ensure a “prompt withdrawal” of the troops.

“The protection of our borders is a fundamental duty imposed on the President and all state organs by the Constitution,” he wrote on X.

The former CJ called on Parliament to hold Ruto and his Defence CS Tuya to account.

He warned that by allowing foreign forces to operate in the country, Kenya was setting a dangerous precedent that could embolden external actors and end up eroding public trust in the Kenya Kwanza’s ability to guarantee Kenyans safety.

“To our brothers and sisters in Mandera, and indeed all Kenyans, your rights, dignity, and safety are non-negotiable,” he said.

Maraga added that no part of the country should feel abandoned due to what he said were unconstitutional decisions taken by a reckless government.

According to Maraga, safeguarding Kenya’s sovereignty and security is essential for national prosperity and should be jealously guarded for future generations.

Yesterday, Murkomen said the government was not aware of any foreign troops, but was investigating the claims.

Speaking during the Jukwaa la Usalama tour in Western Kenya, the CS accused unnamed politicians of using security matters for what he said was cheap politics.

“We cannot confirm now whether there were forces and who they are. It will only be until we do proper security analysis and investigation to establish whether they are forces, civilians,” he said.

The CS added that they were looking at the complaints raised about schools being occupied by the troops reiterating that no school was occupied.

“At the moment, there is no cause for alarm. Politicisation of security is not necessary. I know some people want to score cheap political benefit from it,” said Murkomen.

Once the probe is complete, he said, the issue would be dealt with in a manner where Kenya’s national interests are protected.

“The problem of border security is a multi-agency issue, and where we have a border problem like Al Shabab, it leads to a lot of refugees running from Somalia due to war...,” he said.

[Benard Lusigi, Fred Kagonye and Irene Githinji]