Kenya-Somalia Border Reopening Delayed Due to Terror Attacks
Wednesday, July 5, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki delayed the reopening of the Kenya-Somalia border due to an increase in terrorist attacks.
During a visit to Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel stationed in Mandera, Garissa, and Wajir, the CS issued the directive.
An official from the Ministry of the Interior told GossipA2Z that the decision to delay the reopening of the border was primarily made to give the Kenyan government time to review its security operations and assess its preparedness to deal with terrorist threats from the Al Shabaab militia.
“Before we open, we must streamline issues about our security. We require a thorough review of the entire situation,” he stated, without disclosing new timelines for the reopening of the borders.
The new directive diverged from an earlier order issued by President William Ruto in mid-May that called for the border to be gradually opened over 90 days.
According to Kindiki, the ministry’s original plan called for the opening of the Mandera-Bula Hawa border in June 2023, followed by the opening of three additional borders within two months.
“We have decided that the border between Kenya and Somalia will gradually reopen within the next ninety days.
At a May 15 press conference, Kindiki stated, “Within the next sixty days, we should be able to open a second border crossing.”
A month later, the Head of State defended the decision by asserting that the nation was prepared to confront Al Shabaab head-on.
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“It was and remains the correct choice because we must confront Al Shabaab’s challenges. Ruto insisted, “We intend and have every opportunity to defeat the terrorist organization.”
Attacks
On Sunday, June 25, a group of armed thugs raided the Salama-Kibaoni region of Lamu County, where they torched two homes and murdered five individuals through torture.
The press was informed by Lamu West Sub-County Police Commander Harrison Njuguna that a manhunt had been launched for the attackers.
“A dispute over grazing land is believed to be behind the killings,” Njuguna stated at the time.
Al Shabaab militia ambushed three additional individuals, including police officers, on the Banisa-Rhamu road in Mandera on June 21, killing all four.
Five others sustained injuries.
Kenya-Somalia Border Reopening Delayed Due to Terror Attacks
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