Mandera East MP Abdirahman Hussein Weytan speaking during
the consideration of the 2026/2027 budget estimates before a National Assembly
committee./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Fresh security concerns have erupted in Mandera after six people were shot dead in a brazen daytime ambush, with Mandera East MP Abdirahman Hussein Weytan accusing armed militias linked to Somalia’s Jubaland region of carrying out the attack.
Speaking before a National Assembly committee during deliberations on the 2026/2027 budget estimates, Weytan faulted security agencies over what he described as a failure to protect residents despite the heavy presence of security personnel in the area.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and senior security officials had appeared before the committee to defend their budget allocations when the MP raised concerns over the killings.
Weytan dismissed claims that the attack stemmed from inter-clan conflict, insisting the killings were a revenge mission by armed militias following a recent multi-agency security operation.
“This had nothing to do with clan conflict at all. These were militias that left the camp and attacked civilians in retaliation after one of their own was injured during a multi-agency security operation,” Weytan told the committee.
The attack happened near Omar Jillo Centre along the Mandera-Arabia Road when a Nissan matatu, registration number KAQ 914S, carrying family members to Arabia Town, was ambushed shortly after passing through the area.
Gunmen reportedly sprayed the vehicle with bullets in broad daylight, killing six passengers on the spot as terrified survivors fled into nearby bushes for safety.
According to the MP, security officers stationed nearby failed to respond despite the proximity of Kenya Defence Forces camps.
“A vehicle travelling from Mandera town to Arabia was stopped in the middle of the day and everybody shot. Only those who ran into the bush survived,” he said.
“Not far from there, we have KDF camps and nothing happened. It was civilians who collected the bodies and rescued the injured.
Weytan further alleged that armed men linked to Jubaland forces were moving openly around Omar Jillo while carrying weapons without interference from Kenyan security officers.
“Yesterday, with all the security teams present, I personally saw Jubaland forces walking around Omar Jillo armed and unchallenged. Nobody is even talking to them. They shoot the way they want,” he claimed.
The legislator urged the government to establish a Special Operations Group camp in the strategic “Lady” area to counter rising insecurity. He also appealed for more National Police Reservists, arguing that local security teams lacked sufficient manpower and logistical support.
“You have the funds and we must use them where they are needed most,” Weytan said. “If we do not act, our people will continue dying in broad daylight.”
Security officials, however, presented a different account of the incident, describing it as a rapidly evolving security situation that could be linked to wider criminal and inter-community tensions.
Addressing lawmakers, Kanja said security agencies had intensified operations and investigations following the deadly attack near Arabia in Mandera County.
The police boss said the Mandera County Security Committee and all relevant security agencies had been directed to review the incident urgently, assess the prevailing security situation and implement measures to prevent further escalation.
“It was noted that the incident was criminally related and that the situation was rapidly evolving into a broader inter-crime conflict,” Kanja said.
“Additionally, it was observed that the incident was increasingly being politicised, with some political actors allegedly exploiting the situation for political gain, a factor likely to further inflame tensions and undermine ongoing peace efforts.”
Kanja told the committee that investigations were ongoing to establish the motive behind the attack, identify those responsible and determine whether external actors were involved.
He added that security agencies had stepped up patrols in identified hotspots across Mandera County to reassure residents, strengthen security presence and deter retaliatory attacks.
The Inspector General also revealed that consultations involving political leaders, clan elders, religious leaders and community representatives had begun in an effort to ease tensions and restore calm.
“Engagement with leaders from all affected sides is ongoing with the aim of promoting dialogue and preventing further escalation,” he said.
Kanja further said intelligence gathering and surveillance operations had been intensified across vulnerable areas to disrupt any planned retaliatory attacks or mobilisation of armed groups.
“In the meantime, all relevant government agencies have heightened security operations and sustained intelligence-led interventions, combining both enforcement and dialogue-based approaches to restore calm and maintain stability within Mandera County,” he said
Mandera East MP Abdirahman Hussein Weytan speaking during
the consideration of the 2026/2027 budget estimates before a National Assembly
committee./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
