Mandera Governor Ali Roba shares video of Jubaland soldiers patrolling Mandera town

Governor shares video of soldiers from Somalia patrolling Kenyan town

Tony Mukere

March 5, 2020 1:32 PM

Worrying development comes a day after Uhuru asked Somalia to keep off Kenyan territories

A file photo of Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Madobe (C) who is the President of Jubaland region, in a conversation with a KDF soldier

Mandera Governor Ali Roba on Thursday shared a video of foreign soldiers allegedly patrolling the streets of Mandera town in what he termed as major threat to the lives of the locals.

Roba said Jubaland security forces were patrolling some streets in Mandera, just a day after President Uhuru Kenyatta asked Somalia to cease interfering with Kenya's territorial integrity.

"Jubaland security forces moving right inside Mandera town on Bulla Jamhuria Road, near the central chief camp, by the Huduma Center. This is a major threat to the security of Kenyans in Mandera. Our GoK must move with speed to mitigate this situation or Risk more loss of lives," Roba said.

The Jubaland army is loyal to Kenya but is not recognized by the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Kenya's dalliance with the Jubaland forces has drawn a diplomatic row after Somalia National Army (SNA) carried an attack on Bulla Hawo town that sits on the Somalia side of the border and is next to the Kenyan town of Mandera.

The SNA was attempting to capture Jubaland's Internal Security Minister Abdirashid Janan who is wanted by both the Somalia government and Interpol but has been hiding in Mandera town with the protection of the Kenyan government.

North Eastern leaders have pleaded with the government to surrender Janan to Somalia to avoid risking the lives of residents who may become casualties if Jubaland and SNA forces clash.

Tony Mukere