North-eastern leaders fly to Kismayu to explain their interest in Jubbaland affairs

NAIROBI—A delegation of Kenyan leaders mainly drawn from Nothern Kenya flew to Kismayu on Saturday to attend the inauguration of Jubaland President, Ahmed Madobe.

Led by Garissa Township legislator and Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Aden Duale, the leaders said they came to deliver a message of tolerance and unity among the people of Somalia and need to further strengthen bid to secure the long border they share with the people of Jubbaland region.

“Kenya and Jubaland have a special relationship of being immediate neighbors,” Duale said in his speech on behalf of the delegation at the inauguration hall.

“In this regard, the Government of Kenya and the Jubaland administration have had to work closely together over the years in addressing common security challenges especially those paused by Al-Shabaab. 

“We will continue to work closely, of course together[with] the Federal Government not only to forge a formidable strong front against the menace of terrorism, but also in state building efforts,” he added.

Duale also spelled out Nothern-Eastern Kenya’s  interest in the Jubbaland elections and outcomes, saying its instability could cause insecurity in counties of Garissa, Wajir and Mandera.

”For Kenya, our interest in Jubabaland which we share over 800km border is underpinned on our National security interest,” the Garissa MP stated.

Duale was accompanied by the Garissa senator Yussuf Haji, Kamakunji MP Yussuf Hassan, Wajir County deputy governor, Ahmed Werar, Wajir West MP Ahmed Kolosh, Wajir South MP, Mohamud Omar, Mandera South MP, Ijara MP Sofia Nur, Garissa Women Representative Anab Subow and members of the Defense Committee at the National Assembly led by Samuel Poghisio.

A message of apology was passed on behalf of Governor Ali Korane (Garissa), Governor Mohamed Abdi (Wajir) and Governor Ali Roba (Mandera) who could not accompany the delegation since they’re out of the country.

President Ahmed Madobe thanked the delegation, saying Jubbaland stability plays key role in the security of Nothern Kenyan.