Security concerns have escalated in Mandera County following the abduction of five local chiefs by suspected Al-Shabaab militants.
The incident occurred in Elwak, Mandera County, near the Kenya-Somalia border, just days before President William Ruto’s planned visit to the region.
According to Mandera South Police Commander Julius Njeru, the chiefs were en route for an official meeting when they were abducted by armed militants between Bamba Owla and Ires Suki. The chiefs were scheduled to attend an administrative meeting when the ambush took place, and they were taken to an undisclosed location.
Security forces have launched a search and rescue operation in response to the incident.
President Ruto is set to begin a week-long tour of North Eastern Kenya on Tuesday, February 6, 2025. The visit will cover Mandera, Garissa, and Wajir counties, marking his first major engagement in the region since taking office.
The tour will focus on launching and inspecting development initiatives aimed at addressing long-standing challenges in this historically marginalized area. The President is also expected to hold a Cabinet meeting and open UDA offices in the region.
Beyond security concerns, political divisions are emerging, with leaders from the United Democratic Movement (UDM) party, led by Senator Ali Roba, voicing concerns over what they perceive as political opportunism surrounding the visit.
Senator Roba, the former Governor of Mandera and leader of UDM, criticized the opening of a UDA office in Mandera, calling it “political theatrics.” In a strongly worded statement, Roba questioned the sudden appearance of politicians claiming allegiance to UDA:
“If those at today’s UDA office opening truly cared about the party, where were they in the past two and a half years when UDA had no offices in Mandera? Why now? Their sudden appearance, conveniently timed with the President’s visit, is nothing more than an attempt to feign loyalty when the cameras are rolling.”
Roba also raised concerns about the short-term nature of the initiative, arguing that it would lack longevity after the President’s visit. He urged those involved to focus on organizing a united and dignified welcome for the President, instead of sowing divisions between sister parties.
Prominent lawyer and political commentator Ahmednasir Abdullahi also weighed in, calling for unity among North Eastern leaders and stressing UDM’s leading role in the region’s politics. He urged regional leaders to rally behind UDM, rather than engaging in what he called “political hawking.”
“As President Ruto visits Northern Kenya and lays out the government’s agenda with 2027 in focus, it’s crucial for leaders to show unity and speak with one voice under the UDM umbrella,” Abdullahi said. He also emphasized that both UDA and ODM should take a secondary role to UDM during the President’s visit.
As President Ruto prepares for his visit, both the ongoing security crisis and the political divisions in Mandera remain pressing concerns.
