Maraga demands immediate withdrawal of Jubaland forces from Mandera
The former Chief Justice David Maraga has raised alarm over the entry and operations of Jubaland forces in Mandera County, terming it a grave violation of Kenya’s sovereignty.
He called upon President William Ruto to ensure the prompt withdrawal of Jubaland forces from Mandera County.
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In an official statement released on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, he said that the presence of armed forces poses serious constitutional, legal, and security concerns.
Maraga reminded the government that the protection of Kenya’s borders and territorial integrity is a fundamental duty imposed on the President and all state organs by the Constitution.
“Recent reports confirming the entry and operations of armed Jubaland (Republic of Somalia) forces in Mandera County have raised profound constitutional, legal, and security concerns. As a sovereign state, Kenya’s borders are inviolable. The protection of our territorial integrity is a fundamental duty imposed on the President and all state organs by our Constitution,” the statement reads.
“I therefore call upon President Ruto to ensure the prompt withdrawal of Jubaland forces from Kenya.”
The former CJ further urged Parliament to demand a full account from the president on how the forces gained entry into the country and under what legal framework they were allowed to operate.
“I also urge Parliament, as the representative of the people, to demand a full account from President Ruto on how these forces were allowed into our country, and under what legal framework. The rule of law requires transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to constitutional procedures, especially in all matters of national security,” the statement reads.
Quoting Article 238 of the Constitution, Maraga emphasised that the primary objective of national security is to safeguard Kenya’s sovereignty, protect its people, and uphold the nation’s territorial integrity.
He warned that allowing Jubaland troops to operate inside Kenyan territory sets a dangerous precedent that could embolden external actors to interfere with the country’s internal affairs, while also weakening citizens’ confidence in the State’s ability to protect them.
Maraga to Mandera residents
“To our brothers and sisters in Mandera, and indeed all Kenyans, your rights, dignity, and safety are non-negotiable. No part of our Republic is less Kenyan than another, and no community should feel abandoned or exposed because of unconstitutional decisions taken by this reckless government,” the statement reads.
The Jubaland invasion
Tension has been mounting for days in Mandera County over the presence of forces from Jubaland, one of the Federal States in Somalia.
Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif, on Friday, August 29, 2025, raised alarm on the presence of the forces in the county, saying their continued stay threatens Kenya’s sovereignty and the lives of locals.
Addressing residents of Mandera, Governor Khalif called for President Ruto’s intervention, saying the county cannot be turned into a battleground for Somalia. Jubaland is a federal state in Somalia that acts as a buffer zone for Kenya.
“We have no interest in Somalia. The only interest we have in Somalia is peace. If there cannot be peace and only fighting, then we have no business involving ourselves in their internal affairs,” he said.
The county boss further said a training camp for the forces had been opened at B.P. One (Border Point One) Primary School, and the school had been closed to pupils.
“How do you close a public school and turn it into a military training camp? And some people want to do an exam next month. It is impossible. We are thus demanding for immediate relocation of Jubaland forces out of Mandera. I want to tell them, if we don’t do it, we’ll do it ourselves,” he added.
He said the government cannot close schools, water supply, and maim locals in the name of supporting a faction in Somalia.
“We are telling Defence CS Soipan Tuya that KDF must pull out of supporting Jubaland forces and must be pushed out of Mandera,” he added.
