Mandera East leaders reject new military training ground in constituency

Leaders from Mandera East address the media on the proposed new military training ground in the constituency/HANDOUT

Leaders from Mandera East have strongly opposed the government’s decision to reserve over 10,000 acres of land for new military training grounds.

They termed the move unnecessary and a threat to the livelihoods of thousands of residents.

Led by Mandera East MP Hussein Weytan and 12 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), the leaders said the planned allocation directly affects communities in Khalalio, Arabia and Libahiya wards.

They claimed residents were ignored in a decision that they argue will have far-reaching social and economic consequences.

“We wish to state that allocating an additional parcel of land to the military is unnecessary, as there is already a military installation at Omarjillow within Mandera East Constituency — less than five kilometres from the proposed site. This installation at Omarjillow already serves border security functions,” Weytan said during a press conference.

The leaders further faulted the manner in which the reservation was carried out, claiming there was no public participation or consultation with the affected communities.

“The reservation was done without any consultation, without any public participation and without the consent of the affected communities,” Weytan added.

Also present at the press conference were professionals, elders, religious leaders and representatives of the local business community, all of whom echoed concerns that the land had initially been earmarked for a civilian airport project aimed at boosting connectivity and economic growth in the region.

The leaders noted that residents had been led to believe the land was being set aside for infrastructure development that would open up Mandera County and enhance trade.

They are now demanding that the National Land Commission (NLC) immediately revoke the Gazette Notice reserving the land.

The controversy follows a government announcement that it plans to allocate approximately 12,072 acres of land in Mandera County to the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) for the establishment of military camps and training grounds.

In a Gazette Notice published on February 13, 2026, the NLC issued a reservation order vesting land parcel L.R. No. 33285 to the Ministry of Defence under the provisions of the Land Act and the Land Registration Act.

Under the terms of the reservation, the Ministry of Defence is granted care, control and management of the land strictly for military purposes. The ministry is prohibited from ceding possession of any portion of the land without written consent from the commission.

Additionally, the KDF, through the Ministry of Defence, has been directed to develop a detailed land use and management plan within 180 days and submit it to the NLC.

The plan must comply with physical planning regulations, uphold constitutional values, and address environmental, heritage and conservation concerns.

The NLC further requires that access to grazing areas, salt licks and livestock watering points be regulated to protect local communities, while wildlife corridors and dispersal zones must be secured to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.

The ministry will also be required to conduct Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) before undertaking major development projects, in line with the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (1999).