Sossion dismisses claims of Jubaland troops in Mandera as ‘stories za jaba’
Former Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General and nominated Member of Parliament (MP) Wilson Sossion has dismissed reports of Jubaland troops invading Mandera County, terming the claims as unfounded and misleading.
Speaking at a local TV station on September 4, 2025, Sossion said national security matters cannot be reduced to political debates or sensational narratives, insisting that Kenya has robust security mechanisms in place.
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“You cannot put an electric fence between politics and national security issues, because national security is handled differently through sophisticated infrastructure involving the military and national intelligence services,” Sossion stated.
He challenged those peddling the invasion narrative, including sections of the media, to provide evidence.
“Even you as media, when you are reporting, show us the pictures of the Jubaland forces. All these narratives are just stories za jaba,” he said.
Sossion emphasized that security operations along the Kenya-Somalia border are closely monitored and coordinated by state agencies, and urged leaders to avoid creating panic among citizens through unverified claims.
Senator Ali Roba
His remarks come a day after Mandera Senator Ali Roba sounded the alarm over the alleged presence of Jubaland forces inside Mandera town, warning that the situation poses a direct threat to Kenya’s sovereignty and the safety of its citizens.
In a statement on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Roba described the situation in Mandera as “alarming,” claiming that schools had been shut down, businesses paralyzed, and families displaced as Jubaland and Somalia’s federal forces build up weapons and prepare for confrontation.
“Jubaland forces are now inside Mandera town, literally taking over our community. This is a humiliation of our sovereignty,” Roba said.
“The absurdity of a regional state government fighting its federal government is akin to Mandera County Government declaring war against the Republic of Kenya, yet we are now hosting these foreign forces on our soil.”
Roba cautioned that Kenya’s national interest lies in strengthening its ties with Somalia’s federal government, not in “protecting a rogue state government.”
He accused the government of recklessness and betrayal for allegedly allowing Jubaland troops to operate within Mandera.
“Allowing Jubaland troops to operate in Mandera, putting Kenyan lives and property at mortal risk, is shameful and reckless. Foreign conflicts must be fought on foreign soil, not on the streets of Mandera,” he added.
The senator warned that the government would bear full responsibility for any casualties or destruction arising from the conflict.
He further hinted at possible self-mobilization by local leaders and residents if the state failed to act swiftly.
If the government fails to act immediately and decisively to remove Jubaland forces from Mandera County, we will be forced to mobilize ourselves to defend our people, an outcome that will endanger peace and cause grave international embarrassment for Kenya,” Roba warned.
