Mandera Senator Ali Roba has lashed at the government for allowing Jubaland forces to set up a provisional operation base in the county as it prepares for a war with the Somali Federal government forces.

Roba says Jubaland forces are now inside Mandera town and this, according to the Senator, has led to closure of schools.

Businesses have been paralyzed and families displaced in fear of stray bullets, RPGs and unexploded ordnance, says the leader.

The Senator said an atmosphere of fear has engulfed the entire town as both Jubaland and Somalia’s federal forces build up weapons and troops, preparing for war.

“Shockingly, Jubaland forces are consolidating their strength inside Mandera town on Kenyan soil literally taking over our community. This is a humiliation of our sovereignty,” stated the leader.

“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 in our own town.”

In a press statement that reads like an ultimatum to the government, Senator Roba says 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 said Kenya’s national interest lies with its strategic relationship with the Federal Government of Somalia, not in protecting a rogue state government.

He said the government will bear full responsibility for any deaths, injuries, or destruction of property in Mandera.

“As leaders, our loyalty and constitutional duty are first and foremost to our people. Our support for Kenya Kwanza Government cannot be mistaken for a license to gamble with the lives of our population,” stated the Senator.

“Allowing Jubaland troops to operate in Mandera, putting Kenyan lives and property at mortal risk, is shameful, reckless, and a betrayal of our people. Foreign conflicts must be fought on foreign soil, not on the streets of Mandera.”