Kalonzo Accuses Ruto Of Allowing Foreign Troops Into Kenya

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has accused President William Ruto of compromising Kenya’s sovereignty by allegedly allowing foreign troops into Mandera County.

“What we are witnessing in Mandera is what is defined in international law as occupation. Mr Ruto, have you seceded Kenyan territory to foreign troops? Is your regime too weak to defend Kenya’s territorial integrity?” Kalonzo asked on Tuesday.

He further criticised the government’s handling of land and forest disputes, saying: “This occupational mentality is equally evident in respect to the East African Portland Cement Company and the Karura Forest saga. Mr Ruto, keep off our forests and lands.”

The Ministry of Defence has come under fire over what critics call its silence amid growing fears in Mandera, where Jubaland forces from Somalia are reported to have crossed into Kenyan territory, displacing residents and disrupting daily life.

Former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa on Sunday faulted Defence CS Soipan Tuya for what he termed “deafening silence” over the issue. “It is a violation of our sovereignty and our territorial integrity. I am surprised that up to now, the Defence CS has not said anything, and we have not heard anything from the Kenya Defence Forces,” Wamalwa said. He warned that Mandera residents were living in fear, unable to access farms or schools, with some families being forced to flee.

Wamalwa also demanded that Kenya withdraw its troops from the peacekeeping mission in Haiti, questioning whether the operations in Mandera had President Ruto’s approval.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua echoed the concerns, calling on President Ruto to deploy the Kenya Defence Forces to remove Jubaland troops. “It cannot be that foreign forces are in our land and the government is quiet. The commander-in-chief is quiet. We are asking him to immediately order an operation to flush out foreign troops from our land. This is our country. We have a responsibility to protect our territorial integrity,” Gachagua said.

He claimed the forces had occupied more than half of Mandera town, killing five people, injuring seven others, and displacing many, including schoolchildren. He also accused local leaders of failing to act.

Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif has since demanded the immediate withdrawal of Jubaland troops, claiming they had set up a camp at BP1 Primary School, forcing its closure and displacing students preparing for national exams.