In the volatile borderlands of northeastern Kenya, where the arid landscapes of Mandera County meet the chaos of southern Somalia, a recent controversy has ignited a firestorm of political rhetoric.
Reports emerged in late August 2025 alleging that forces from Somalia’s semi-autonomous Jubaland state had crossed into Mandera, setting up camps and disrupting local life.
Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif decried the presence as a threat to Kenyan sovereignty, claiming Jubaland troops had occupied farmland and forced schools to close, leaving residents in fear of stray bullets and escalating violence.
Senator Ali Roba echoed these concerns, warning that the situation humiliated Kenya’s territorial integrity and risked turning Mandera into a battlefield for Somali infighting.
Yet, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen swiftly dismissed claims of an “invasion,” insisting the intruders were likely refugees fleeing internal Somali strife, and promised investigations to repatriate any illegal entrants.
This discord has not only heightened tensions but exposed a deeper malaise: the reckless politicization of national security matters, which undermines Kenya’s fragile defenses against existential threats like Al Shabaab.
At its core, the Mandera incident stems from spillover violence in Somalia’s Gedo region, where Jubaland forces clashed with federal Somali troops in July 2025.
Defeated Jubaland fighters reportedly retreated across the border into Mandera’s Border Point One area, coordinating potential counterattacks with Ethiopian support.
Residents protested, businesses ground to a halt, and families fled amid fears of RPGs and unexploded ordnance. While the government maintains control and attributes the influx to humanitarian crises, critics like former Chief Justice David Maraga and opposition figures such as Eugene Wamalwa have lambasted the administration for inaction, demanding immediate withdrawals and parliamentary probes.
Even allies like Nominated MP Wilson Sossion downplayed the reports as “stories za jaba,” urging evidence over sensationalism. But herein lies the problem: what should be a unified security response has devolved into a partisan blame game, with opposition leaders accusing President William Ruto of negligence and government officials retorting that critics are scoring “cheap political points.”
Politicizing security is not merely unhelpful—it’s dangerous. Kenya’s borders with Somalia have long been porous, riddled with cross-border incursions fueled by clan rivalries and terrorist activities.
By framing the Jubaland presence as a governmental failure or, worse, a deliberate betrayal, politicians erode public trust in security institutions and distract from collaborative efforts essential to stability.
Mandera’s crisis is not an isolated event but part of a broader pattern where internal Somali conflicts bleed into Kenya, as seen in past incidents like the 2021 diplomatic spat over Jubaland’s influence. When leaders like former Trade CS Moses Kuria invoke historical parallels to the Shifta War to criticize the regime, they inflame regional tensions and risk alienating allies in the fight against terrorism.
Such rhetoric transforms a manageable border issue into a national scandal, emboldening adversaries who thrive on division. Al Shabaab, ever opportunistic, could exploit this discord to launch attacks, knowing that a fractured political landscape weakens Kenya’s resolve.
This politicization is particularly egregious given the strategic importance of Kenya’s relationship with Jubaland. Far from being invaders, Jubaland forces have historically served as a critical buffer zone against Al Shabaab incursions into Kenya.
Since Kenya’s Operation Linda Nchi in 2011, which aimed to dismantle Al Shabaab strongholds, Jubaland has emerged as a key partner in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
Kenyan security agencies, including the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and National Intelligence Service (NIS), have engaged in joint operations with Jubaland troops, sharing intelligence and conducting cross-border patrols to neutralize threats.
This collaboration has prevented countless attacks on Kenyan soil, from the Westgate siege in 2013 to more recent ambushes in Lamu and Garissa.
Jubaland’s control over southern Somalia acts as a shield, absorbing Al Shabaab’s aggression and allowing Kenya to focus on internal development rather than perpetual defense.
The buffer role is not abstract—it’s lifesaving. Al Shabaab’s ideology of jihadist expansion targets Kenya as an “infidel” occupier, and without Jubaland’s frontline resistance, terrorist cells could more easily infiltrate Mandera, Wajir, and beyond.
Videos circulating on social media show Jubaland fighters acknowledging their defensive posture against terrorism, claiming alignment with Kenyan interests.
Kenyan forces have trained alongside Jubaland units under ATMIS, fostering a symbiotic relationship that has degraded Al Shabaab’s capabilities. Politicizing the current tensions ignores this reality, portraying Jubaland as an enemy rather than an ally.
Governor Khalif’s call for KDF withdrawal from supporting Jubaland overlooks how such a move could invite Al Shabaab resurgence, potentially leading to atrocities like the 2015 Garissa University massacre.
The dangers of this partisan approach extend beyond Mandera. When security becomes a political weapon, it discourages intelligence sharing and hampers multi-agency responses.
Leaders trading barbs—such as Senator Samson Cherargei’s demands for swift action or Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya’s alarms—create confusion, potentially delaying deployments and emboldening smugglers or terrorists.
Ethiopia’s involvement in backing Jubaland further complicates matters, risking a regional proxy war if Kenya’s internal divisions spill over. Politicians must remember that national security transcends party lines; it’s a collective duty enshrined in Article 238 of the Constitution, prioritizing sovereignty and citizen protection over electoral gains.
All matters considered, the Mandera crisis should unite Kenyans, not divide them. By castigating the politicization of security, we honor the sacrifices of KDF soldiers and border communities who bear the brunt of Somalia’s instability.
Strengthening ties with Jubaland as a buffer against Al Shabaab requires bipartisan support, transparent investigations, and diplomatic resolve—not finger-pointing.
President Ruto and opposition leaders alike must prioritize facts over fury, ensuring Mandera’s residents sleep soundly without fear of foreign strife or domestic discord. Only then can Kenya fortify its borders and secure its future.
