CS Kindiki Scraps 12-Yr-Old Kenya-Somalia Border Blocks In 3 Ways
The CS noted that the exercise which would take effect immediately would bring to an end a more-than-a-decade-old border block between the two neighbouring countries.
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Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki on Monday, May 15 announced that the Kenya-Somalia border points would be reopened in phases in the next 90 days.
The CS noted that the exercise which would take effect immediately would bring to an end a more-than-a-decade-old border block between the two neighbouring countries.
Kindiki had hosted a high-level delegation from Somalia led by the ministers Mohamed Ahmed Sheikh Ali (Internal Security), Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur (Defence) and Abshir Omar Jama (Foreign Affairs) before staging a news conference at Harambee House in Nairobi.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki (right) with his Somalian Counterpart Mohamed Ahmed Sheikh Ali on Monday, May 15, 2023 during a press briefing. /MINISTRY OF INTERIOR & NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION
“The border between Kenya and Somalia will be re-opened in a phased out manner within the next 90 days effective today starting with the Mandera-Bula Hawa border point which should be re-opened in the next 30 days,” announced Kindiki.
The Liboi-Harahar-Dobley border point, he added, will be the second border that will be opened within 60 days and then the Kiunga-Ras Kamboni border point in Lamu which will be opened in 90 days.
“We are also in the process of looking at the possibility of adding a fourth border point which will give an entry point into Somalia in Wajir County. That announcement will be made in the coming days,” he stated.
However, the implementation of the security project will be subject to consultation and consensus with Kenya’s neighbours, Somalia and Ethiopia.
Kindiki explained: “It has been agreed that this project will proceed subject to the three partner states, Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, sitting down together with the UK to agree on the action plan and the detailed activities.”
The CS further revealed that he and the Somali delegates committed to the signing of an outcome document which lays a road map of where to go next.
He added that the two parties agreed to review agreements in place to enable the free movement of the Kenyan and Somali people by relooking at the Visa procedure.
Kindiki and his counterpart from Somalia further resolved to bolster cross-border communication and information-sharing exchange between the neighbouring countries.
“We will also develop modalities of addressing cross-border challenges appreciating the nature of transnational threats that require a coordinated and comprehensive response by the two countries,” Kindiki stated.
The leaders also agreed on enhancing border infrastructure and management as well as enhancing the operational capacity of border security and law enforcement agencies to effectively counter cross-border threats.
The border posts were closed in 2011 due to the threat of terrorism posed mainly by the notorious Al-Shabaab terror group. This led to the illegal flow of people, weapons and contraband across the borders.
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