Kenya Under Pressure to Expel Alleged Jubaland Forces in Mandera

MANDERA, Kenya - The government of Kenya is under increasing pressure to flush out Jubaland regional forces allegedly training in Mandera, with the country’s opposition joining the calls days after county government officials in the northeastern region made the revelation.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua now wants the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to secure the region, arguing that the presence of Jubaland troops would potentially compromise the country's sovereignty.

The former DP, who was impeached after falling out with President William Ruto, maintained that foreign forces were operating in Mandera, adding that there was a need for urgent military intervention.

“It cannot be that foreign forces are in our land and the commander-in-chief is quiet. We ask him to order an operation to flush out foreign troops from our soil,” Gachagua said.

Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif alleged Jubaland forces had set up camp at a local primary school, forcing its closure and displacing students preparing for national exams. Khalif warned that Mandera “cannot be turned into a battleground for Somalia.”

Jubaland officials have denied that their forces are inside Kenya. Vice President Mohamed Sayid earlier this month said the troops remain stationed along Somalia’s border with Kenya. Kenya is an ally of Jubaland, which KDF uses as a buffer zone in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

Elsewhere, a military court in Somalia approved the execution of two people who were linked to the Al-Shabaab militants in the country, taking the number of those killed by the firing squad within the last two months to 12.

Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as Maaxi or Yoonis, and Ibrahim Aden Maadey had been sentenced to death following a trial in which prosecutors presented evidence of their involvement in several killings. They were executed on Monday morning.

GAROWE ONLINE