Former and the first Mandera County governor, Ali Roba, has issued a chilling warning over what he describes as an escalating takeover of Mandera County by Jubaland forces, calling out the Kenyan government for exposing its own citizens to danger and humiliation.

In a hard-hitting statement posted on his official X account on Wednesday, August 3, 2025, Roba said that foreign troops are no longer confined to border skirmishes but are consolidating their presence deep inside Mandera town and other parts of the county. He painted a grim picture of daily life in the region, where normalcy has been shattered by fear.

“Schools have been shut down, businesses paralysed, and families displaced in fear of stray bullets, RPGs and unexploded ordnance. An atmosphere of fear has engulfed the entire town as both Jubaland and Somalia’s federal forces build up weapons and troops, preparing for war,” Roba warned.

Kenya’s sovereignty violated

He called the situation an outright violation of Kenya’s sovereignty.

“Shockingly, Jubaland forces are consolidating their strength inside Mandera town on Kenyan soil, literally taking over our community. This is a humiliation of our sovereignty,” he said.

Roba questioned how a foreign regional government could operate freely within Kenya’s borders, comparing the situation to a Kenyan county government turning its guns on the national government.

“The absurdity of a regional state government fighting its federal government is akin to Mandera County Government declaring war against the Republic of Kenya, yet we are now hosting these foreign forces in our own town,” he said.

The former governor stressed that Kenya’s loyalty must lie with Somalia’s federal government, not with what he termed a “rogue state government” in Jubaland.

“Allowing Jubaland troops to operate in Mandera, putting Kenyan lives and property at mortal risk, is shameful, reckless, and a betrayal of our people. Foreign conflicts must be fought on foreign soil, not on the streets of Mandera,” Roba declared.

He held the Government of Kenya directly responsible for any loss of life or destruction of property in Mandera, warning that continued inaction would leave locals with no choice but to defend themselves.

“If the government fails to act immediately and decisively to remove Jubaland forces from Mandera County, we will be forced to mobilise ourselves to defend our people, an outcome that will endanger peace and cause grave international embarrassment for Kenya,” Roba cautioned.

Reiterating that loyalty to Kenya Kwanza should not be mistaken for blind silence, Roba concluded with a blunt call for action: “We make it plain: our people come first, always. Kenya must act NOW.”