Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has hit back at Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen over threats to have him arrested following his remarks on the presence of terrorists in the North Eastern region.
Speaking during the burial of a family member of one of his allies on Thursday, September 4, 2025, Gachagua defended his statement, saying leaders from the region, particularly Mandera, have also confirmed his claims about the presence of Jubaland forces in Kenya.
“I said there is a big security problem in Mandera related to terrorism, but they criticized me and even said I should be arrested when I return. Now, what I said is exactly what everyone else is acknowledging. Forces from Jubaland have invaded Kenya and are in Mandera,” Gachagua stated.
Gachagua Accuses Murkomen of Downplaying Terror Threats in Mandera
The former Deputy President further claimed that leaders in Mandera only raised the issue of insecurity after he had spoken about the presence of militant forces in the region.
“Those leaders in Mandera were silent until I spoke out,” Gachagua remarked.
He also urged leaders from the area to stop issuing statements from Nairobi and instead visit Mandera to assess the situation on the ground.
“We are asking the Mandera Senator, don’t just speak from Nairobi. I heard you speaking yesterday, but it would be better if you went to the ground to help your people so that these militants can be flushed out,” Gachagua urged.
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At the same time, Gachagua accused the Interior CS of incompetence, saying that despite claiming investigations were underway, Jubaland forces had been camping in Mandera for the past two months.
“What kind of investigations are these when people have been in Mandera for two months, yet the Cabinet Secretary for Security has no information that these people are in Kenya?” Gachagua questioned.
The DCP Party leader also faulted Murkomen for ignoring Mandera Governor’s pleas, noting that the county boss had already raised concerns about the presence of Jubaland forces in Kenya. Instead, Murkomen maintained he was conducting investigations to ascertain whether the claims were true.
Murkomen Dismisses Claims of Presence of Juba Land Forces in Kenya
Gachagua’s remarks came a day after the Interior CS addressed concerns about the alleged presence of Jubaland forces in Mandera, on September 3, 2025.
Murkomen dismissed the claims, insisting that the government had no verified intelligence confirming a cross-border security threat. He suggested that those spotted in Mandera were likely Somali civilians fleeing instability in Somalia, particularly from conflict in areas like Bula Hawa, rather than organized military forces.
“The people who are in Mandera are not in Kenya on an invitation by the government of Kenya. They may be fleeing wars in their country,” Murkomen said.
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However, leaders from the region, led by Mandera Senator Ali Roba, have insisted that militants are indeed present in Mandera, warning that the Kenyan government will be held accountable for any casualties.
“The Government of Kenya will bear full responsibility for any deaths, injuries, or destruction of property in Mandera. As leaders, our loyalty and constitutional duty are first and foremost to our people. Our support for the Kenya Kwanza government cannot be mistaken for a license to gamble with the lives of our population,” Roba stated.
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