The Ministry of Interior and National Administration has halted plans for a multi-agency security facility along the Moyale-Marsabit-Isiolo road corridor following local disputes over the site.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced after a meeting on Friday, May 15, that the decision was necessary due to a conflict between Wajir and Marsabit counties over ownership of the land earmarked for the facility.

“This morning, we convened a meeting of leaders from the two counties to address the impasse. After lengthy deliberations, we resolved as follows: That the construction of the facility be discontinued and the site abandoned,” the statement read.

Protests over the proposed location erupted after two community leaders were arrested over accusations of incitement.

📌 What You Need to Know

On May 14, clashes between demonstrators and security forces in Saku, Moyale and Sololo sub-counties left three injured and one person hospitalised after being shot.

Residents demanded the cessation of construction activity for the facility until the land dispute is resolved, while community representatives condemned the arrests, calling for the release of the elders.

Upon visiting the contested site, local leaders accused security personnel of intimidating residents and misusing government machinery to push through construction against community consent.

According to Murkomen, the facility was intended to enhance security along the corridor, a key route for arms, narcotics, human trafficking and other transnational crimes.

The Wajir County Security and Intelligence Committee had initiated the process and secured funding for the construction through the Eldas NG-CDF, before tensions between the counties prompted Ministry intervention.

During the meeting, leaders resolved that a new location will be identified by the North Eastern and Eastern security teams, in consultation with the National Security Council, and the facility will retain a national scope.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke