Mandera East MP Abdirahman Hussein Weytan accused armed militias linked to Somalia’s Jubaland region of carrying out a deadly attack along the Mandera-Arabia Road that left six people dead and three others seriously injured.
Weytan spoke during the consideration of the 2026/2027 budget estimates before a National Assembly committee. He criticized security agencies for failing to protect residents despite a heavy security presence in the area.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and other senior security officials had also appeared before the committee to defend their budget allocations.
The MP dismissed suggestions that the attack was linked to inter-clan conflict. He insisted that the killings were a retaliatory act by armed militias following a recent multi-agency security operation in the area.
“This had nothing to do with clan conflict at all,” Weytan told the committee.
“These were militias that left the camp and attacked civilians in retaliation after one of their own was injured during a multi-agency security operation.”
The attack occurred near Omar Jillo Centre. A Nissan matatu, transporting family members to Arabia Town, was ambushed shortly after passing through the area.
Gunmen opened fire on the vehicle in broad daylight. They killed six passengers instantly while survivors escaped to the nearby bushes.
According to the MP, security officers stationed nearby failed to intervene despite the proximity of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) camps.
“A vehicle travelling from Mandera town to Arabia was stopped in the middle of the day and everybody shot. Only those who ran into the bush survived,” he said.
“Not far from there, we have KDF camps and nothing happened. It was civilians who collected the bodies and rescued the injured.”
Weytan further alleged that armed men linked to Jubaland forces were operating openly in the area without interference from Kenyan security personnel.
“Yesterday, with all the security teams present, I personally saw Jubaland forces walking around Omar Jillo armed and unchallenged,” he claimed.
“Nobody is even talking to them. They shoot the way they want.”
The MP called on the government to establish a Special Operations Group (SOG) camp in the strategic area of “Lady” to counter growing insecurity.
He also appealed for increased deployment of National Police Reservists (NPRs). He also argued that local officers lacked adequate personnel and logistical support.
“You have the funds and we must use them where they are needed most,” Hon. Weytan said. “If we do not act, our people will continue dying in broad daylight.”
However, security officials presented a different assessment of the incident. The officials described it as a rapidly evolving security situation with possible links to broader criminal and inter-community tensions.
Kanja announced intensified security operations and investigations following the deadly attack near Arabia in Mandera County. He said this while addressing the committee.
Kanja said the County Security Committee in Mandera, alongside all relevant security agencies, had been directed to immediately review the incident. They had also been directed to assess the prevailing security situation and implement measures to prevent further escalation.
The police chief warned that while preliminary investigations pointed to criminal activity. He added that the situation risked degenerating into a wider conflict if not carefully managed.
“It was noted that the incident was criminally related and that the situation was rapidly evolving into a broader inter-crime conflict,” Kanja said.
“Additionally, it was observed that the incident was increasingly being politicized, with some political actors allegedly exploiting the situation for political gain, a factor likely to further inflame tensions and undermine ongoing peace efforts.”
Kanja told lawmakers that comprehensive investigations were underway to establish the motive behind the attack. He added that the investigations would identify the perpetrators and determine whether external actors were involved.
He added that security agencies had intensified patrols in identified hotspots across Mandera County. This initiative was meant to reassure affected communities, strengthen security presence and deter retaliatory attacks.
The IG also revealed that authorities had initiated consultations with political leaders, clan elders, religious leaders and community representatives. This is aimed at helping to de-escalate tensions and promote peaceful coexistence.
“Engagement with leaders from all affected sides is ongoing with the aim of promoting dialogue and preventing further escalation,” he said.
Kanja further noted that security agencies had strengthened coordination and information-sharing mechanisms among various units and local community structures. This measure aims to counter misinformation and support ongoing peace initiatives.
According to the police boss, intelligence gathering and surveillance operations had also been enhanced across vulnerable areas. These operations are meant to detect and disrupt any planned retaliatory attacks or mobilization of armed groups.
“In the meantime, all relevant government agencies have heightened security operations and sustained intelligence-led interventions, combining both enforcement and dialogue-based approaches to restore calm and maintain stability within Mandera County,” he said.
