Page 9 - MANDERA-COUNTY- REVIEW-3RD-EDITION

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HOW WE IMPROVED MANDERA SEcURIty

Governor Ali Roba’s personal account

Mandera was literally disconnected from the rest of Kenya for close to 50 years, and its economy
was largely dependent on Somalia. The socio-economic ties of the population was such that for
close to 23 years after the fall of Siad Barre, whatever that was happening inside Somalia was
also finding sympathy in Mandera and the greater NEP

ad it not been for devolution as far as the word Al-Shabaab in public. Those who manned by customs and immigration officials.
the people of Mandera County are con- attempted were profiled and targeted with Before devolution, what prevailed in Mandera
Hcerned, Kenya would have been more threats via SMS and killed. was worrying. It was like a conspiracy be-
susceptible to terror attacks. tween the county security teams and Al-Sha-
Al-Shabaab operatives would cross into Ke- baab. From 5pm to 6am Mandera Town was
The governments that reigned before the ad- nya and target four-wheel drive vehicles used ruled by Al-Shabaab terror cells. During the
vent of devolution completely turned a blind by NGOs and international aid agencies, rob night, sounds of Al-Shabaab gunfire rent the air
eye on the security situation in the North East- workers and drive off in broad daylight into regularly as they instilled fear and killed per-
ern Province (NEP). The resultant impact of Somalia with impunity. What followed was not ceived opponents. During the day, the Kenya
neglect and under-investment in security ex- only suffering because of government neglect, security forces would give the impression that
posed Mandera and NEP residents to clear but the non-governmental organisations who they were in control.
dangers including radicalisation of our youth. were the only source of hope in Mandera were
also driven out, leaving Mandera as a haven for No government officer or vehicle patrolled at
Because of our proximity to the Gedo Region terrorists. When four-wheel vehicles were com- all. At 5pm, security officers would retreat to
of southern Somalia, which has been infested mandeered and stolen by terrorists, no one their bunkers or camps and lock themselves
with terror activities over the last two decades, dared to pursue them, not even the military. indoors. That’s the time the Al-Shabaab were
Mandera’s economy slowly died, with the fall Such was the reality we were faced with at the targeting locals and non-locals alike. They as-
of the late president Siad Barre. What followed start of devolution. sassinated locals who were vocal against their
shortly after the fall of Siad Barre was a series activities, including three chiefs and home
of Islamist regimes, starting from Islamic Courts Today, we are also faced with a challenge of guards, taxi drivers and shopkeepers. No reli-
Union, Al-Itihad, Ahlu Sunna Waljamma’a and territorial integrity. The local administration of gious leader could condemn Al-Shabaab.
finally Al-Shabaab. The people of Mandera the national government cared less over the
were subjected to repeat radical preaching years and openly allowed the occupation of ‘no On March 7, 2013, soon after the General
from these Islamists by use of radios that were man’s land space between Kenya and Soma- Election, I was confronted by the harsh real-
the only formal way of public information, with lia border by the unsuspecting local Somalis ity of insecurity of a town run by terrorists. The
radical Islamist group radios operating from in- from Bullahawa. Later, the local Somalis in Bul- first challenge was lack of office and accom-
side Somalia. lahawa extended their settlements into Kenya’s modation. I had nowhere to work from. There
territorial boundary. Today, there are more than had been no public baraza or celebration of
Mandera was literally disconnected from the 400 households belonging to Somalia but in- national days for a record three years. People
rest of Kenya for close to 50 years and its side Kenyan territory. Because of this territorial lived in fear.
economy was largely dependent on Soma- violation, Mandera town and Bullahawa have
lia. The socio-economic ties of the population been merged. In one very unfortunate incident after a night of
was such that for close to 23 years after the gunshots, the OCPD ran from his house to seek
fall of Siad Barre, whatever that was happen- This situation has made it impossible for our security at NDMA guest house where I was ac-
ing inside Somalia was also finding sympathy security forces to pursue terrorists after attacks commodated, with a few home guards guard-
in Mandera and the greater NEP. Only after in Kenya because in less than five minutes ing me. He lamented that his officers could not
the start of devolution did the security attention they would have escaped back into Somalia come out and that he had no security himself. It
required find its priority in the minds of the na- through the densely populated area. was dark, tense and loud every night.
tional security team in Nairobi. While the prob-
lems of terror sounded most pronounced over This is the situation that informed the govern- During the period following the announcement
the last four years, the truth is that Mandera ment in the construction of a boundary fence. of the official results, I went to the County Com-
has been under terror rule since the fall of Siad While the government is aware of the fact that missioner to get a briefing about the security
Barre and the rise of extremism inside Somalia. in the long run this boundary may not be sus- arrangement for my swearing in and he frankly
tainable because of the socio-economic ties said, “Governor, I must confess that we have
Over the years, the radical Islamist radio sta- of neighbouring communities from across the not had any public baraza for the last three
tions became powerful, influential and no one borders, it is a hard decision that had to be years because of fear of terror attacks, and it
was capable of countering the radicalisation made for our own security and territorial integ- would be better to have the swearing in cer-
messages they were passing. The impact was rity of our nation. emony conducted in my compound.” I was
that Mandera was exposed and socialised to shocked and disturbed, as he told me the situ-
radical messages that influenced the youth This fence is only meant as a deterrent mea- ation was helpless. I very firmly said the swear-
negatively. sure. Before, terrorists easily crossed over ing in ceremony must take place at Moi Sta-
to carry out attacks and run into Somalia dium, and not any other place. He reluctantly
Local population became sympathetic to where local forces could not pursue them. agreed and promised to mobilise his security
radical Islamist views and no sheikh was bold This is why locals and leaders in Mandera team. We gathered courage and resolved that
enough to oppose this without risking their support the erection of the fence at the bor- we would not be prisoners in our own country
lives. In fact, it was impossible to mention der with designated access and exit points
any more. We swept the stadium for any IED