Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has announced that the government has temporarily suspended the reopening of the Kenya-Somalia border following an increase in terrier attacks in the Nothern region.
Speaking during a visit to the Dagahaley and Ifo 2 Refugee camps in Garissa’s Dadaab camp, the CS stated that the government will only consider reopening the borders once they have effectively addressed the issue of cross-border crimes and terrorism that has plagued the area.
He pointed out that despite the setback, both governments remain committed to reopening the border to improve cross-border trade and cooperation.
“We are still on track to reopen the border points. However, owing to the recent surge in terrorist activities in the last two months, we have temporarily halted the plans in order to first deal with the terrorist elements within our borders before resuming the plans,” Kindiki said.
Al-Shabaab, a Somalian-based jihadist organisation with ties to Al-Qaeda, has been blamed for increasing terrorist activity.
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In recent months, terrorist groups operating in the area have targeted civilians and security officers, further escalating security worries.
At least 30 people have been killed and dozens injured in various attacks in the previous month in the counties of Wajir, Garissa, Mandera, and Lamu attributed to Al-Shabaab insurgents.
Officials from Kenya and Somalia agreed on May 15 to gradually reopen three border crossing points between the two nations over 90 days.
The border points located in Garissa, Mandera and Lamu counties were closed under former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration in 2011 due to increased attacks by the Somalia-based Al-Shabaab terror outfit, which affiliated to Al-Qaeda.
