Jubaland forces may be used to delay elections, register illegal voters – Peter Mbae
By David Nthua, September 4, 2025Former Head of Government Delivery Service (GDS) Peter Mbae, on Thursday, September 4, 2025, argued that Jubaland forces might be used to overturn Kenyans’ will in the 2027 poll.
Speaking to a local TV station, Mbae, now a close ally of Democracy for Citizens’ Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua, presented two scenarios: the risk of using instability to postpone elections and the confusion of registering illegal voters.
“Now we have a second governor (Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif) confirming the same thing, that people are coming in, getting IDs, and raising fears that this could be linked to election manipulation.
“There is a larger concern that refugees, numbering around 800,000, may be used in electoral fraud.
“The fear is also that if instability escalates, elections may not take place at all. Some argue this could even be used to create a state of emergency.
“A minister was asked about this yesterday, but instead of giving a clear answer, he dodged the question.
“He has access to raw intelligence, but still said he did not know about foreigners displacing children from schools. What does that mean? Are we really in a good place?” Mbae posed.
Elsewhere, Nandi senator Samson Cherargei condemned the presence of Jubaland forces in Mandera as a violation of territorial integrity.
Land allocations and infiltration concerns
For example, Media reports and statements from elected leaders from the area have suggested that individuals from Jubaland and Somalia may be present in Mandera.
Dr Peter Mbae reminded Kenyans that two or three months ago, Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana, a retired army officer, openly stated in the presence of Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen that Somalis had crossed over from Somalia, received government land allocations, and that this was gazetted. He even noted that a chief had been appointed from among them.
According to Mbae, when the Cabinet Secretary responded, he dismissed the governor’s remarks, saying, “That is why we normally arrest you, because you talk carelessly.”
However, the Tana River governor insisted the issue was real and pressed for answers on why Somalis were being allocated land and appointed as chiefs.
He concluded by saying, “From my observation, political leaders often try to spin narratives, but when they talk over each other, no one can follow. That is why I believe this panel may not have the expertise to discuss such a sensitive matter properly.”