Political situation in Kenya

Unrest in Kenya – Somali forces have crossed the border

Unrest is spreading in the town of Mandera, on the border between Kenya and Somalia, after forces from the Somali region of Jubaland crossed the border into Kenya, reports The East African.

The reason is that the Somali forces have been pushed west by the Somali state army, with which they are in conflict.

“Shockingly, the Jubaland forces are consolidating their power in the town of Mandera on Kenyan soil and are literally taking over our society. This is a violation of our sovereignty,” writes Ali Ibrahim Roba, a local senator in Mandera, on X.

Kenyan government on the situation: “No reason for concern”

Kenyan Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen says there is “no reason to worry” about the situation in the country’s eastern region of Mandera, after large groups made their way there from Somalia, reports AFP.

“We cannot confirm what kind of people they are, whether they are military forces or civilians,” Murkomen told local journalists.

Local actors raised the alarm about the situation, which they said posed a threat to Kenya’s sovereignty. At the same time, the country’s opposition has launched a fierce attack on President William Ruto’s inaction in the face of the situation.