President William Ruto is under mounting pressure to explain the presence of Jubaland forces within Kenyan borders, following a wave of criticism from political leaders and civil society. Concerns have been raised over national sovereignty, constitutional violations, and the safety of residents in Mandera County.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga on Wednesday demanded transparency from the government, warning that the entry and reported operations of armed Jubaland fighters in Mandera amounted to a direct violation of Kenya’s sovereignty. He questioned how a foreign security outfit was allowed into the country without public disclosure or a formal agreement.
“I urge Parliament, as the representative of the people, to demand a full account from President Ruto on how these forces were allowed into our country, and under what legal framework. The rule of law requires transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to constitutional procedures, especially in matters of national security,” Maraga stated.
The former CJ emphasized that Kenya’s Constitution imposes a fundamental duty on the President and state organs to protect territorial integrity and ensure citizen safety. He cautioned that bypassing legal processes in admitting foreign troops set a dangerous precedent that could embolden external actors to interfere with Kenya’s internal affairs.
His remarks follow growing public concern in Mandera, where residents recently protested the presence of foreign troops, citing fears for their security. Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif also warned that the spillover of Jubaland forces into Kenyan territory posed a direct threat to both local peace and national sovereignty.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, a former senior security administrator, echoed these fears, warning that Kenya’s territorial integrity was at risk.
The controversy has put President Ruto’s administration in the spotlight, with demands for clarity on whether the deployment of Jubaland forces was sanctioned through any bilateral security arrangement or occurred outside the legal framework.
As pressure mounts, the government faces calls to restore public confidence by affirming its commitment to constitutional order, safeguarding Kenya’s sovereignty, and ensuring that no foreign force operates within its borders without full transparency and accountability.
