The Kenya-Somalia border at Mandera-Bula Hawo has been temporarily closed after a deadly confrontation between Kenyan security forces and Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).
The confrontation which occurred at the Mandera Border Control Post resulted in the death of a Kenyan police officer.
According to reports from local media in Mandera, the violence erupted when Somali NISA officers stormed the Kenyan border post on Friday, March 14.
The officers intended to free a Somali national who was being interrogated by Kenyan authorities. However, the situation quickly escalated, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
In response, the Kenyan government deployed its paramilitary Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) to secure the border and prevent further incidents.
All cross-border trade and movement of people through the Mandera-Bula Hawo corridor have been suspended indefinitely, disrupting economic activities for businesses in the area.
Also Read: 5 Kenyan Teachers Stuck in Somalia After Ambush
Somalia Returns Rifles to Kenya
Authorities in Somalia on Saturday, March 15, returned two rifles that were taken from the Kenyan police officer who was killed in the attack.
The weapons, a G3 and an AK47 rifle, were handed over to the Mandera security team, although the police noted that some ammunition was missing.
The officers noted that the rifles originally had a total of 90 bullets but only 10 were returned.
During the attack, Constable Dennis Omari was fatally shot on the spot, while another officer sustained a gunshot wound to the left arm.
The injured officer had since been airlifted to Nairobi for advanced medical care. Moreover, authorities suspect the attack was an act of revenge.
However, preliminary investigations suggest the incident may be linked to the recent arrest of terror suspects accused of attempting to abduct Chinese nationals working in Mandera.
Police believe the assault was likely orchestrated by a relative of one of the arrested suspects, who is said to be an officer at the agency.
Also Read: Former Somali Prime Minister Denied Visa in Nairobi
Tension With Miraa Farmers
In February, Kenyan miraa farmers stopped exporting their produce to Somalia following the government’s recent announcement of new pricing for the crop.
The farmers condemned a newly implemented pricing model, terming it demeaning and a cause of economic imbalance in the trade.
They mentioned that intermediaries were the greatest beneficiaries of the imbalance which threatens the stability of the market.
In mid-January, Somali female traders protested in Mogadishu against high taxes on Kenyan miraa, saying it was cutting into their profits.
“We cannot sustain farming under these conditions when everyone in the supply chain profits except us,” Kenyan Khat Farmers Association chairman Rasta Karuiru said then.
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