Willis Otieno reprimands govt over presence of Jubaland forces in Mandera
By Kiprono Keileb, August 31, 2025Lawyer and political commentator Willis Otieno has raised the alarm that Kenya is drifting into a dangerous era where militias are being welcomed and empowered instead of being kept in check.
In a statement on his official X account posted on Sunday, August 31, 2025, Otieno accused the government of turning the country into a haven for armed groups across the region, warning that sovereignty is being compromised.
“Interesting times indeed. RSF is setting up a parallel government in Nairobi. Jubaland forces are casually marching into Mandera. Kenya is now the regional headquarters of armed militias,” Otieno wrote.
He warned that the country is at risk of losing its identity as a peace broker in the Horn of Africa and instead being branded as the nerve centre for destabilisation.
“We are literally encircled by gunmen; imported, exported, and state-sponsored. Instead of defending sovereignty, this government is turning Kenya into a free-for-all battlefield,” he cautioned.
Otieno’s concerns point to a broader unease about Kenya’s involvement in regional conflicts, from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Sudan, and its handling of cross-border incursions from Somalia. Critics say Kenya’s long-held reputation as a neutral arbiter in regional peace efforts is being steadily eroded by open support and tolerance for armed groups.
The bigger picture
Kenya has historically positioned itself as a stabilising force in East Africa, hosting peace talks and contributing troops to regional missions. However, Otieno suggested that current policies are blurring the line between peacekeeping and enabling militarisation.
For him, the growing presence of militias inside Kenya’s own borders is no longer theoretical; it is a clear signal that Nairobi is abandoning its responsibility to protect citizens from external armed interests.
His statement has stirred strong reactions online, with many Kenyans expressing concern that the government is taking lightly the potential cost of inviting militia politics into the country.
Jubaland forces in schools
While Otieno’s warning captured national attention, the crisis is already being felt on the ground in Mandera. Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif has been vocal against the presence of Jubaland forces, accusing them of destabilising daily life for residents.
“Mandera cannot be turned into a battleground for Somalia. We have no interest in Somalia; the only interest we have in Somalia is peace. If they cannot have peace, then we have no business to involved in their internal affairs,” Khalif said.
The Governor revealed that Jubaland troops have occupied a local primary school, shutting down learning at a time when students are preparing for exams.
“They have opened a camp at a primary school that is now closed, and people want to do an exam in the next month. How do you close a school and turn it into a military camp?” he asked.
Frustration in Mandera is reaching a boiling point, with Khalif warning that residents may soon take matters into their own hands if the state does not act.
“We demand immediate relocation of Jubaland in Mandera, and if they won’t, then we will do it ourselves,” he declared.
Sovereignty under threat
Between Otieno’s cautionary note and Khalif’s frustrations, the message is clear: Kenya’s sovereignty is at stake. What is playing out is no longer just about foreign policy or regional peacekeeping but about the lives of Kenyans at home.
Otieno fears Kenya is being branded as “the regional headquarters of armed militias,” while Khalif insists that even schools cannot be sacrificed to foreign interference. Together, their voices highlight a growing demand for government accountability in shielding the country from becoming a playground for militias.