The Interior and National Administration Ministry has suspended plans for a joint security installation along the Moyale-Marsabit-Isiolo road route due to local disagreements regarding the proposed location.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen declared following a gathering on Friday, May 15, that the measure was required because of a disagreement between Wajir and Marsabit counties concerning the ownership of the land allocated for the installation.
“This morning, we assembled a meeting of representatives from both counties to resolve the deadlock. After extensive discussions, we determined that the construction work should cease and the location be abandoned,” the announcement stated.
Demonstrations against the selected location occurred following the detention of two community leaders on charges of inciting unrest.
On May 14, security personnel in Saku, Moyale, and Sololo sub-counties resulted in three injuries and one hospitalization after shots were fired.
Local residents insisted that construction work for the installation be stopped until the territorial disagreement is settled, while community figures criticized the detentions, demanding the release of the community elders.
After inspecting the disputed location, local authorities accused security officials of intimidating local inhabitants and exploiting government resources to advance construction without community approval.
According to Murkomen, the installation was designed to strengthen security along the corridor, which serves as a major passage for weapons, drugs, human trafficking, and other cross-border criminal activities.
The Wajir County Security and Intelligence Committee had commenced the initiative and obtained financing for the construction through the Eldas NG-CDF, prior to conflicts between the counties necessitating Ministry involvement.
During the gathering, officials decided that a new site will be selected by the North Eastern and Eastern security teams, in coordination with the National Security Council, and the installation will maintain a national focus.
Officials indicated they will involve local residents by organizing public gatherings to alleviate tensions and bring together the communities in the region.
Additionally, Murkomen emphasized that the boundary conflict between Wajir and Marsabit, along with comparable disputes across the country, will be addressed through appropriate channels, including the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).