Gachagua Blames The Government for The Mandera Deadly Attack

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has blamed President Ruto’s government for the deadly attack that killed six people in Mandera County.

The attack happened on Saturday, May 9, along the Mandera-Arabia road in North Eastern Kenya when armed men attacked a passenger Mini bus heading to Arabia town. According to police, the gunmen opened fire on the vehicle at  Umar Jillo area in Arabia Sub-County, killing six passengers and seriously injuring three others.

Mandera County Police Commander Robinson Ndiwa said the attackers were believed to be four armed men who came out from nearby bushes and shot at the vehicle before escaping. Security officers later launched an operation to track down the attackers and improve security in the area.

Reports say the passengers were travelling to Arabia town for a Quran recitation event and a family gathering when the attack happened. The injured victims are receiving treatment at  Mandera County Referral Hospital and may be airlifted to Nairobi for further treatment if the situation worsens.

In a statement shared on his X account, Gachagua said the attack was proof of warnings he had made earlier about the presence of alleged Jubaland forces in Mandera County.

“Last year, I warned about the serious security threat posed by the presence of illegal foreign Jubaland forces in the territory of the Republic of Kenya after they occupied almost the entire Mandera Town,” Gachagua stated.

The former Deputy President accused the government of not taking action despite concerns raised by leaders and residents from the region. He said the presence of foreign armed groups was putting the country’s security at risk.

“

I strongly condemn this heinous act and demand the immediate removal of all illegal foreign forces from the area. The safety, sovereignty, and dignity of Kenyan citizens must be protected at all cost.

We cannot trade the territorial integrity of our nation for cheap business and political gains of a few individuals at the helm of our nation,” he added.

The issue of alleged Jubaland fighters being in Mandera first came up in September 2025 after reports claimed armed groups from Somalia had crossed into the county. The reports raised concern among local leaders and residents.

At the time, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the government was investigating the matter and asked the public to wait for official findings from security agencies.

Mandera Governor Adan Khalif had also raised concerns over the alleged presence of Jubaland forces, warning that Mandera could be affected by conflicts from neighbouring Somalia.

Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, security officers suspect Al-Shabaab militants may have been involved because of similar past attacks in Mandera and other counties near the Kenya-Somalia border.

The latest attack has increased fear among residents, with leaders now calling for tighter security and stronger border patrols to stop more attacks in the region.