President William Ruto has explained why the Kenya-Somalia border remains shut nearly 15 years after its closure, despite previously promising that it would reopen in April this year.
Speaking during an interview with France 24 on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Ruto said renewed political instability and armed conflict inside Somalia had forced Kenya to suspend the reopening plan over security concerns.
The President said Kenya and Somalia had initially made significant progress toward reopening the border, but tensions between the federal government in Mogadishu and regional administrations later derailed the arrangement.
“We were moving very well until there was a huge disagreement between the government in Mogadishu and the states,” Ruto said.
He pointed to escalating clashes involving the Somali National Army and regional militias, particularly forces linked to Jubaland, warning that the conflict had spilled close to Kenyan territory.
“In fact, at that time, some of the Somali National Army were pushed into Kenya, and that complicated the situation. We had to support members of the SNA by assisting them so that we could pacify the war,” he added.
Ruto further stated that Somalia’s uncertain political transition had made it impossible for Kenya to proceed with reopening the frontier.
“The term of Parliament there expired, and the President is also expiring. Nobody knows where that situation is going. So the border for the time being is not open,” he said.
The Kenyan Head of State also disclosed that Nairobi has been working alongside regional partners including Ethiopia and Djibouti in efforts aimed at restoring stability in Somalia, although those efforts have yet to produce a lasting breakthrough.
His latest remarks come months after he announced in February that the Kenya-Somalia border would reopen in April under strict security measures, a decision that had been welcomed by traders and transport operators who depend on cross-border business.
However, insecurity along the frontier — particularly around Mandera — has continued to raise alarm among residents and security agencies.
Local communities have repeatedly complained about alleged incursions by armed groups and Jubaland-linked forces operating near Kenyan territory, accusing them of harassment and disrupting daily life.
In September last year and again this week, Mandera residents staged protests over the deteriorating security situation, warning that schools, businesses and transport activities had been severely affected.
The concerns intensified following recent deadly attacks in the region, including an ambush on a public service vehicle by suspected gunmen that left several passengers dead and others injured, further fuelling fears over cross-border insecurity.
Kenya officially closed its border with Somalia in October 2011 following repeated attacks blamed on the militant group Al-Shabaab. Although successive administrations have floated plans to reopen it, persistent security threats and political instability inside Somalia have repeatedly delayed the move.
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