The Environment and Land Court in Garissa has declined to issue urgent plea to halt a proposed Defence and Aviation infrastructure project in Mandera East.
The case arises from a petition challenging the National Land Commission and the government’s decision to reserve land in Mandera East for Defence purposes through a February 2026 Gazette Notice.
Among the applicants is the Member of Parliament for Mandera East, Hussein Weytan, who moved to court alongside another petitioner seeking interim orders to stop the implementation of the project.
However, in a ruling delivered on February 27, 2026, Justice Stephen Kibunja of the Environment and Land Court held that the application had not demonstrated sufficient urgency to justify stopping the project at this stage.
The court therefore declined to grant interim conservatory orders and instead directed that the application be served on all respondents. The matter will return to court for further directions on March 25, 2026.
The contested development includes plans for a new military camp, a defence training centre and expanded aviation infrastructure, which proponents say are critical to strengthening security and connectivity in Kenya’s north-eastern frontier.
Mandera County sits along the Kenya–Somalia border, a region that has historically experienced security threats linked to the militant group Al Shabaab.
Security planners have cited serious operational constraints with the current military installation in Mandera Town, which is now surrounded by dense residential development, limiting expansion and raising safety concerns.
In addition, the existing airstrip located within the military camp has a murram runway, which aviation stakeholders say presents operational and safety limitations.
The region also experiences some of the highest domestic flight costs in Kenya, with a return trip between Mandera and Wilson Airport costing approximately Sh40,000, making it one of the country’s most expensive domestic routes.
Supporters of the project argue that expanded defence infrastructure and a modern airport would strengthen national security, improve aviation safety and stimulate economic activity in northern Kenya.
They further argue that the proposed camps would support border control units.
The initiative has reportedly received backing from the Kenya Kwanza Coalition as part of broader efforts to advance strategic infrastructure development within the Horn of Africa regional gateway framework.
The case is scheduled to return to court later this month for further directions.
Last week, a section of leaders from Mandera 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.
The leaders, led by Mandera East MP Hussein Weytan and 12 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), said the planned allocation directly affects communities in Khalalio, Arabia and Libahiya wards.
They said residents were not adequately consulted in a decision that they argue could 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 also faulted the manner in which the reservation was carried out, saying 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.
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