Kenya-Somalia Border Closure: Deadly Clash Sparks Diplomatic Tension

The Kenya-Somalia border at Mandera-Bula Hawo has been temporarily shut down following a violent confrontation between Kenyan security forces and Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).

Deadly Border Clash

The skirmish, which took place at the Mandera Border Control Post on Friday, March 14, resulted in the tragic death of a Kenyan police officer. Reports indicate that the violence erupted when Somali NISA officers stormed the Kenyan border post, attempting to free a Somali national who was under interrogation. The situation quickly escalated, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

In response, the Kenyan government deployed the paramilitary Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) to secure the border and prevent further hostilities. Consequently, all cross-border trade and movement through the Mandera-Bula Hawo corridor have been suspended indefinitely, disrupting economic activities in the region.

Somalia Returns Rifles, But Ammunition Missing

In a surprising turn, Somali authorities returned two rifles—a G3 and an AK-47—that were taken from the slain Kenyan officer. However, police noted that the ammunition was incomplete, with only 10 bullets recovered out of the original 90.

During the clash, Constable Dennis Omari was fatally shot, while another officer sustained a gunshot wound to the arm and has since been airlifted to Nairobi for treatment.

Authorities suspect that the attack may have been an act of revenge linked to a recent crackdown on terror suspects in Mandera. Investigators believe the assault was possibly orchestrated by a relative of one of the arrested suspects, who is allegedly an officer within Somalia’s security agency.

Miraa Trade Tensions Add to the Strain

The border conflict comes amid existing tensions between Kenya and Somalia over the miraa (khat) trade. In February, Kenyan miraa farmers halted exports to Somalia in protest against new pricing regulations that they claim favor intermediaries while undermining local growers.

The standoff follows a mid-January protest by Somali female traders in Mogadishu, who decried high taxes on Kenyan miraa imports, arguing that the levies were cutting into their profits.

“We cannot sustain farming under these conditions when everyone in the supply chain profits except us,” stated Kenyan Khat Farmers Association chairman Rasta Karuiru.

What Next?

With diplomatic relations already strained, the border closure is expected to heighten tensions further. Authorities from both countries are yet to comment on when the Mandera border might reopen or how they plan to de-escalate the situation.