Mandera, Kenya – Senator Ali Roba has declared that he will not remain silent as clashes between Jubbaland troops and local communities along the Kenya-Somalia border threaten the safety of Mandera residents.
Speaking on Wednesday, the Senator accused Jubbaland forces of conducting incursions into Kenyan territory, which he said had sparked fear and insecurity in border villages. Roba stressed that the lives and property of Mandera citizens must be safeguarded at all costs.
“We cannot watch as our people are harassed and displaced by foreign troops. As leaders, it is our duty to stand firm and defend Mandera residents,” he told reporters, urging the national government to intervene decisively.
Local leaders and community elders have also raised alarm over rising tensions, warning that the situation risks escalating into a wider security crisis. Residents in areas near Beled-Hawo, Somalia, and Mandera town have reported frequent gunfire and movement of armed personnel across the border.
The Senator urged Nairobi to engage Somali authorities and Jubbaland leadership to prevent further violations of Kenyan territory. He also called for the immediate reinforcement of security along the frontier to restore calm.
Kenya shares a long and porous border with Somalia, where Jubbaland, one of Somalia’s federal member states, has often clashed with rival groups and security forces loyal to Mogadishu. In recent years, Mandera has borne the brunt of these hostilities, with cross-border attacks, displacement, and disruption of trade.
Roba insisted that Mandera people deserve protection equal to that enjoyed by other Kenyans, adding that continued neglect could erode trust between citizens and the government.