Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has condemned the killing of six Kenyans in Arabia Sub-County, Mandera County, blaming the attack on what he termed as illegal foreign Jubaland forces operating inside Kenyan territory.
In a statement released on Sunday, Gachagua expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished seven injured people a quick recovery following the deadly incident that has heightened tensions along the Kenya-Somalia border.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. Two days ago we witnessed and received sad news from Northern Kenya where we lost patriotic Kenyans in an act of aggression and incursion by Jubaland forces who continue to be on Kenyan soil illegally,” he said.
Gachagua said he had previously warned about the security threat posed by the alleged presence of Jubaland forces in Mandera, claiming the foreign troops had occupied large sections of Mandera Town last year.
“Last year, I warned about the serious security threat posed by the presence of illegal foreign Jubaland forces in the territory of the Republic of Kenya when they had occupied almost the entire Mandera Town. This tragic incident has sadly confirmed those fears,” he said.
The former Deputy President termed the killings as heinous and called for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces from the area, saying Kenya’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must not be compromised.
“I strongly condemn this heinous act and demand the immediate removal of all illegal foreign forces from the area. The safety, sovereignty, and dignity of Kenyan citizens must be protected at all cost,” Gachagua said.
He further accused unnamed leaders of sacrificing national interests for political and business gains.
“We cannot trade the territorial integrity of our nation for cheap business and political gains of a few individuals at the helm of our nation,” he added.
The latest violence in Mandera comes amid recurring security concerns in the border region, where Kenyan authorities have previously battled incursions by armed groups, cross-border clashes and militant attacks linked to instability in neighbouring Somalia. Mandera County has for years remained vulnerable because of its proximity to the Somalia border, with residents often caught in insecurity-related incidents.
