Mandera MPs protest over fights at border

The government has failed to protect Mandera residents from the fighting between Jubaland and the Somalia army, local leaders have said.

The seven legislators from Mandera said several residents had been displaced and their property destroyed after being caught between the warring troops.

Yesterday Mandera Senator Mahamud Maalim said Kenyan authorities had not made any attempts to repulse the foreign troops. Mr Maalim said yesterday morning the Kenya-Somalia border in Mandera witnessed intense fighting between the two rival troops. “There is a lot of fighting going on at the border on the Kenyan side and it is not yet clear whether there are casualties,” said the senator.

Mandera East MP Omar Maalim said the government should take responsibility for any destruction caused by the troops. Somalia has accused Kenya of harbouring Jubaland security minister Abdirashid Janan, who is considered a fugitive in Somalia.