Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sparked fresh debate over security in northern Kenya after claiming that forces linked to Jubaland were behind the deadly attack in Mandera County that killed six people.
The attack happened along the Mandera-Arabia road when unknown gunmen ambushed a public service vehicle carrying passengers.
According to police reports, the attackers opened fire on the vehicle, killing six people on the spot and leaving several others seriously injured.
The incident shocked residents of Mandera and renewed fears over growing insecurity in the region near the Kenya-Somalia border.
Survivors described terrifying moments as armed men suddenly attacked the vehicle before escaping shortly after the shooting.
In a statement shared online, Gachagua blamed what he described as illegal Jubaland forces operating inside Kenyan territory.
The former deputy president said he had previously warned the government about security threats linked to the alleged presence of foreign armed groups in Mandera.
According to Gachagua, the continued presence of the forces has now become a danger to Kenyan citizens living in the region.
He accused the government of failing to act despite earlier concerns raised about insecurity in northern Kenya.
“I strongly condemn this heinous act,” Gachagua stated while sending condolences to the families of the victims. He also called for the immediate removal of any foreign armed groups allegedly operating within Kenyan borders.
The former deputy president further argued that Kenya’s sovereignty and territorial integrity should not be compromised for political or business interests.
His remarks quickly triggered political reactions and intense discussions online, with some leaders demanding a full investigation into the claims.
Police authorities confirmed that the attackers targeted the vehicle while it was travelling through a dangerous stretch near Arabia town in Mandera County.
Security officers believe the attackers may have escaped toward the border area after carrying out the ambush.
Mandera County has for years faced security challenges due to its proximity to Somalia, where militant groups and armed factions continue to operate.
The area has previously experienced attacks linked to extremist groups, cross-border violence, and armed clashes.
Reports about Jubaland forces entering parts of Kenyan territory first emerged in 2025, causing concern among political leaders and residents in the North Eastern region.
At the time, the Kenyan government said investigations were underway to establish the truth about the alleged incursions.
Jubaland is a semi-autonomous region in southern Somalia that has experienced ongoing political and military tensions with Somalia’s federal government.
The region has remained unstable due to armed conflicts involving different factions and security forces.
Following the latest killings, local leaders in Mandera demanded stronger security measures to protect residents and travellers using roads near the border.
Some leaders urged the government to increase police patrols and intelligence operations in the area.
Families of the victims have been left devastated as the community mourns the lives lost in the attack.
Residents say fear has continued spreading in the region, with many worried that similar attacks could happen again if security is not strengthened.
Security agencies have since launched investigations into the incident as pressure mounts on the government to explain the growing insecurity concerns in Mandera.
Authorities are also pursuing the attackers while trying to determine who exactly was behind the deadly ambush.
The tragic attack has once again highlighted the fragile security situation facing communities living near Kenya’s border with Somalia, where violence and armed activities continue to threaten the lives of ordinary citizens.
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