Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced that all chiefs in Mandera County will be armed and trained to boost security along the volatile Kenya–Somalia border. His statement follows growing concerns about Jubaland forces crossing into Kenyan territory earlier this month.
Speaking in Mandera, Murkomen said that security at the Border One Crossing had been fully restored. He assured residents that Kenya would not allow external conflicts to spill into local communities. “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.
Why Are Chiefs Being Armed in Mandera?
According to Murkomen, arming chiefs is part of a wider plan to strengthen inland security and improve local response to attacks. He emphasized the government’s duty to safeguard citizens from external threats while urging the community to support security agencies in countering al-Shabaab. “It is our duty to defend and protect our citizens and borders even when they are fighting,” he added.
The move comes amid rising tensions in the border county, where residents and leaders have expressed alarm at the infiltration of Jubaland forces. Some, including Mandera Governor Adan Khalif, have warned that the incursions are crippling essential services in the region.
What Is the Government’s Position on Jubaland Forces?
While acknowledging the concerns, Murkomen dismissed claims that Somalia or Jubaland forces posed a direct threat to Kenya. Instead, he underlined that the primary danger remained al-Shabaab. “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.
By prioritizing the arming and training of chiefs, the government hopes to empower local leadership to safeguard their communities, ensuring that schools, farms, and households remain secure.
By Lucky Anyanje