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Residents of Kenya’s border county of Mandera are living in fear after Somali regional fighters crossed into their communities following clashes in Somalia. The fighters, who are from Jubaland state in southern Somalia, fled after federal forces in Mogadishu seized control of a key town last month. Their presence has caused panic and disruption for locals who say they feel unsafe in their own homes.
According to Urgus Shukra, a respected elder in Mandera, the armed Somali fighters have been inside Kenyan territory for almost a month. He explained that they have occupied farmland, which is vital for the community’s survival. Shukra said the fighters regularly fire their guns and have even used the area to conduct training, creating constant tension for residents. Many families have already fled, leaving behind their homes and businesses in search of safety.
Mandera senator Ali Ibrahim Roba echoed these concerns in a statement he shared on X, formerly known as Twitter. He said that schools have been forced to shut down, businesses have stopped operating, and families are living in fear of stray bullets, rocket-propelled grenades, and unexploded weapons. His warning highlighted the depth of the crisis and how deeply it has disrupted daily life.
Despite these fears, Kenya’s interior secretary Kipchumba Murkomen played down the situation, insisting there was “no cause for alarm.” He argued that some of the reports were exaggerated for political reasons and said it was not yet clear whether the people who crossed the border were fighters or civilians. His remarks, however, have not calmed the anxiety on the ground.
Mandera governor Mohamed Adan Khalif had already sounded the alarm earlier, warning that the Somali fighters’ presence was a threat to Kenya’s sovereignty and security. Residents also staged protests to demand urgent action from the government, arguing that their safety was being ignored. Opposition leaders have joined in criticizing President William Ruto, accusing him of being silent while Kenyans in Mandera are left to deal with the danger. They are calling for firm action to drive the fighters back across the border.
Kenya has long had a complicated relationship with Jubaland and Somalia’s federal government. Nairobi has stationed troops in Jubaland for years, mainly to stop the spread of the Islamist militant group Al-Shabab, which has carried out deadly attacks in Kenya. For Kenya, Jubaland has served as an important buffer zone against the extremist threat.
The political struggle inside Somalia, however, is part of what has fueled the latest crisis. Jubaland’s regional president, Ahmed Madobe, is an ally of Kenya but faces opposition from Somalia’s central government in Mogadishu. The federal authorities have refused to recognize his administration, which has worsened tensions and led to open conflict. When Mogadishu’s forces captured parts of Jubaland, it forced Madobe’s fighters to flee, and many of them ended up across the border in Kenya.
For the people of Mandera, this is more than just politics — it is about survival. Farmers are unable to tend to their crops because armed fighters are camped on fertile land. Parents are scared to send their children to school, fearing they could be caught in crossfire. Business owners are losing their livelihoods because customers are staying away from markets and shops. The uncertainty has left the community on edge, with many wondering how long they will have to endure this insecurity.
The situation is testing the Kenyan government’s response to border security and its ability to protect citizens in remote areas. While leaders in Nairobi downplay the risk, the reality in Mandera tells a different story — one of fear, displacement, and interrupted lives. Unless the issue is addressed quickly, residents worry the crisis could escalate, leaving them more vulnerable not only to stray violence but also to further instability in the region.