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Fear and tension have gripped residents of Mandera County after stray bullets, rockets, and live ordnance from Somalia’s conflict spilled into Kenyan territory, putting lives and property at risk.
Mandera Senator Ali Roba has raised the alarm over the rising attacks, saying the town is under constant threat from Somalia’s unending wars.
“Enough! Stray bullets, rockets, and live ordnance are hitting Kenyan soil, endangering lives and destroying property,” Roba wrote on his social media pages. He added that these incidents are not isolated accidents but a direct spillover of ongoing conflict across the border.
According to Roba, families in Mandera are living in fear, children cannot safely play outside, businesses are closing early, and entire neighbourhoods are bracing for the next attack. He called on the Kenyan government to urgently act, protect citizens, and issue a strong warning to the Somali Federal Government and Jubaland administration to stop the violence.
Conflict Across the Border
The violence stems from a complex power struggle in Somalia, locally referred to as the “triangle war.” It involves the Somali Federal Government, the Jubaland administration, and various regional forces, with Bulla Hawa town at the centre of the crisis.
Bulla Hawa, located at the meeting point of Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia, is of strategic importance. Recently, Somali government forces took control of the town, escalating tensions. In response, Jubaland’s Vice President gave powerful militia leader Abdirashid Janan a three-day ultimatum to leave the area.
Local elders intervened and negotiated a temporary extension, allowing Janan’s forces to remain until after Friday prayers. However, some community members warned that they would take up arms as “patriots” once the deadline passed.
Regional Tensions and Foreign Involvement
The Somali Federal Government has accused Kenya of supporting the Jubaland administration, further straining diplomatic relations between the two countries. The situation became even more tense last week when an Ethiopian military helicopter was reportedly seen in an area controlled by Janan, fuelling speculation about foreign involvement in the conflict.
Meanwhile, residents of Dollo and Bulla Hawa in Somalia’s Gedo region have been living in fear amid the rising tensions. The threat of fighting has forced some Mandera residents to flee their homes, becoming internally displaced persons (IDPs) within Kenya. Many have sought refuge with relatives or in safer parts of town.
Impact on Mandera
Mandera, a bustling border town and a key hub for cross-border trade with Somalia and Ethiopia, has faced security challenges for years because of its proximity to Somalia’s conflict zones. Its busy market attracts traders from across the region, but the current unrest has disrupted business activities and movement.
Senator Roba insists that the government must act now to prevent further loss of life and protect the sovereignty of Kenya. “Silence is not an option. Our people’s lives must be protected, and urgent action is required,” he said.
As the ultimatum in Bulla Hawa expired, uncertainty remains over what will happen next. Both residents and leaders in Mandera are calling for swift intervention from the Kenyan government and international partners to de-escalate the conflict and ensure the safety of civilians on both sides of the border.
For now, many families in Mandera and neighbouring Somali towns are left in a state of fear, bracing themselves for potential clashes that could erupt at any moment.