Saturday September 6, 2025 {HMC} Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen says residents of Mandera are safe from the neighbouring conflict involving Somalia federal troops, Al Shabaab, and Jubaland forces.

Speaking in Kakamega during the Jukwaa la Usalama security engagement with the local administration, CS Murkomen castigated opposition leaders for politicizing the Mandera security situation, which he says is a national security matter involving a complex geopolitical approach aimed at securing the country from Al Shabaab militia.

“They are going out there to speak carelessly about matters of security. What kind of politics are they looking for in issues of security? Truly, we have been unfortunate to have such people ever sit in the National Security Council. Someone who has ever sat in the National Security Committee knows you cannot go outside and speak carelessly, telling lies about your country,” said Murkomen.

“I want to speak clearly: Kenya is not under any threat from Somalia or any regional force from Somalia; the only threat we face is the threat of the Al Shabaab militia.”

Murkomen’s remarks come as a rebuttal to a section of leaders drawn from the opposition who have been asking the government to address the allegations of Jubaland Forces in Mandera.

Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua and former Chief Justice David Maraga have condemned politicians over what they termed as ‘deafening silence’ on the matter.

Speaking on Thursday during the burial service of teacher Grace Wanjira Mwinga in Mathioya Constituency, Murang’a County, Gachagua criticised CS Murkomen for dismissing the reports, citing that the government must take action to secure the safety of Mandera residents.

He noted that leaders have spoken out on the matter since he first raised concerns.

“Nilisema iko shida ya Mandera ya usalama na mambo ya ugaidi. Wakanipigia kelele na wakasema nishikwe nikirudi. Sasa yale nilisema, kila mtu anasema namna hiyo. Jeshi kutoka Jubaland wamevamia Kenya na wako pale Mandera,” Gachagua noted.

“Hao viongozi wa Mandera hawakuwa wanaongea hadi nikaongea. Sai waziri wa usalama anasema lazima afanye uchunguzi. Uchunguzi gani na hawa watu wamekuwa hapo miezi mbili? Ata waziri wa usalama hana habari hawa watu wako Kenya.”

Further, he questioned why CS Murkomen disregarded the reports, despite the Mandera Governor himself acknowledging the presence of Jubaland forces in the county.

He also claimed that these forces have reigned terror in the county by killing five people and injuring seven others, adding that a school has since been closed as a result.

CS Murkomen had recently noted that the government has launched investigations into the matter and would deal with any criminal elements according to the law.

Various leaders have criticised the government for remaining silent while claiming that the Jubaland forces are crippling services in Mandera.

“Mandera cannot be turned into a battleground for Somalia. We have no interest in Somalia, we have no business to be involved in their internal affairs,” Mandera Governor Adan Khalif noted.

Source Hiiraan online

Saturday September 6, 2025 {HMC} China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) to foster bilateral trade and mutual exchanges.

Senior government officials, diplomats, industry executives, and investors attended the signing ceremony, which took place on the sidelines of the eighth edition of the Kenya International Industrial Expo held in Nairobi, the East African country’s capital.

Pius Rotich, general manager of investment promotion and business development services at Kenya Investment Authority, said the Kenyan government is leveraging strategic partnerships with Chinese enterprises to modernize infrastructure, accelerate industrial growth, and promote a green transition.

According to Rotich, a stable macroeconomic environment will ensure that capital and technology from China are channeled to sectors with high potential for growth, including e-mobility, agro-processing, tourism, and affordable housing.

He added that Nairobi is banking on fiscal incentives and political goodwill to attract Chinese investments in the development of smart cities, creative economy, mining, and cross-border e-commerce platforms.

Shi Yonghong, vice president of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products, noted that Kenya serves as a gateway for the eastern African region and a launching pad for Chinese enterprises eager to expand their footprint on the continent.

Through enhanced cooperation with their Kenyan counterparts, Chinese firms will help unlock investment, facilitate technology transfer, and foster skills development to drive growth and benefit local communities, Shi said.

Source AP

Saturday September 6, 2025 {HMC} The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of the AU Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, met with an Egyptian assessment team on Friday at the conclusion of its six-day visit to Somalia.

The team, led by Maj. Gen. Islam Aly Ibrahim Radwan, reviewed preparations for the deployment of Egyptian troops to AUSSOM as part of the African Union’s efforts to support Somalia during its ongoing political and security transition.

Ambassador Diene thanked Egypt for its commitment to peacekeeping operations, saying the deployment will strengthen AUSSOM’s capacity to stabilize and secure Somalia. He emphasized that the mission remains fully committed to facilitating the integration of the new contingent into AU operations.
Maj. Gen. Radwan, for his part, expressed appreciation for AUSSOM’s cooperation and reaffirmed Egypt’s readiness to play a prominent role in bolstering AU peace efforts in Somalia.

The assessment mission, which ran from Aug. 30 to Sept. 5, forms part of the AU’s broader strategy to enhance military cooperation with its member states.

Source Hiiraan online