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Kenya validated Sunday it will certainly return to building of the safety and security wall surface along its boundary with Somalia to assist suppress cross boundary attacks by Al-Shabaab militants.
Inside Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery claimed the structure of the 700km wall surface on the Kenya-Somalia boundary from Mandera in northeast Kenya to Kiunga in the coastline will certainly shut out the Al-Shabaab components from penetrating the region from Somalia in addition to bar unnecessary individuals from unlawfully getting involved in the nation.
“This fence will help us check on people like Al-Shabaab from crossing to and from Somalia. We will not limit movement of other people,” he said when he met group of Marehan clan leaders who are in Nairobi to discuss security issues.
Kenyan officials say the security wall whose construction stalled due to lack of funds, will provide a long term security efforts to secure the border, adding that once the wall’s construction is completed, it will only be crossed by entering through the appropriate border points.
The Islamist group has carried out series of deadly attacks in northeast Kenya and other towns, including the capital city of Nairobi since the East African country sent its military into Somalia in 2011 to fight the Al-Qaida linked group.
Mandera town is situated at the Somali border and stretches for about 20km from Border Point One, making it prone to frequent terrorist attacks.
Nkaissery assured the Marehan clan which lives along the border with Ethiopia and Somalia in Mandera County the fence will not deter or limit the movement of other people from and to Somalia as perceived.
He said there will be entry points with immigration officers at Mandera, Elwak, Liboi and other areas down to Lamu to screen those getting in and out of the country.
Nkaissery said designated border points will have police posts, Kenya Revenue Authority officers and other government offices to provide vital services.
Nkaissery urged for continued support from local clans and especially the Marehan group for both countries to achieve security and stability.
