Northeastern commissioner issues stern warning to bus companies ferrying immigrants

New North Eastern Regional Commissioner, Mohamed Birik. He has issued a warning to bus companies and transporters operating in his region against helping immigrants get into the country.  (Courtesy)

MANDERA—North Eastern Regional Commissioner, Mohamed Birik has cautioned bus companies and transporters operating in the region against helping immigrants from neighboring Somalia to make their way into the country.

In a bid to curb this ferrying of aliens mostly who travel to the capital, Nairobi, the government will increase and enhance the road blocks particularly in Modigar at the Wajir-Dadaab turn-off and the Tana bridge.

“We want to ask all the bus companies not to engage in this illicit business of transporting aliens in this region. We know and understand that some of these aliens are indeed possibly members of the Al-Shabaab terror group,” Birik said.

“We intend to seal all loopholes, areas of weakness and avenues through which aliens come into the country,” he added.

15 immigrants from Somalia are expected to be arraigned in court today after they were arrested on their way to Garissa on Saturday night.

Last week, on Monday,three contractors were killed when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device  (IED) in Mandera county along the border with Somalia.

Mandera South MP Adan Kullow held a meeting with the local security leaders and community elders to try and address the insecurity problem.

Adan faulted security measures exercised by authorities in the sub-county as the root cause of insecurity along the border with Somalia.

“There’s laxity along the Kenya-Somalia border, security officers take bribes hence have been compromised,” said the MP.

The newly appointed North Eastern Regional Commissioner was promoted on July and moved from the Kirinyaga county commissioner position.

He also noted that more Kenya Police Reservists (KPRs) will be recruited and posted on the border where Al Shabaab have been operating.

Birik’s transfer elicited mixed reactions among residents, with those in support of the move, saying that his entrance will inject fresh blood needed to take the region a step further in terms of peace and development.

Former North Eastern Regional Commissioner, Mohamud Saleh called on Northeastern residents to work closely with Birik just as they cooperated with his administration.

“Let us give the incoming Regional Commissioner, Mohamed Birik the cooperation you extended to me. It is my wish and prayer that we get rid of Al Shabaab completely from the region. It’s possible and doable,” noted Saleh.