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{
    "id": 1023976,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1023976/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 66,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mandera East, EFP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Omar Mohamed",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13416,
        "legal_name": "Omar Mohamed Maalim Hassan",
        "slug": "omar-mohamed-maalim-hassan"
    },
    "content": " Hon. Deputy Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order No.44(2)(c), I wish to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations regarding the presence of foreign soldiers in Baluwago location, Mandera East Constituency. Hon. Deputy Speaker, the residents of Mandera have been living in fear as a result of the presence of foreign-armed soldiers, who crossed the border into Kenya from Bula Hawo in Somalia and settled in Baluwago Location, Mandera East Constituency. The said soldiers are allegedly there to provide security to the Minister in charge of Security from the Jubaland Regional Government in Somalia. As a result of their presence, the crime rate and insecurity has tremendously risen, including rape cases. The soldiers are now engaging in illegal trade of the sale of weapons in the local community. It is against this background that I seek for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations. In the Statement, the Chairperson should address the following: (i) Under what circumstance did the Minister in charge of security from the Jubaland Regional Government in Somalia cross over with over 200-armed soldiers from Bula Hawo in Somalia and settled in Baluwago Location in Mandera East constituency? (ii) Under which legal framework were these foreign soldiers allowed into and even settled in Kenyan territory? (iii) What is the role of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in regards to the presence and protection of the said Minister and his soldiers within Kenyan territory? (iv) What actions is the national Government taking to address security challenges presented by the presence of these foreign forces to the local residents and the country at large, noting that other security arms of Government in the country have been rendered incapable to handle this matter, which is seen to be under KDF? (v) When is the said Minister and his soldiers expected to leave the Kenyan territory? (vi) What steps is the national Government taking to ensure security and incidents of crime in Mandera East Constituency caused by the presence of the said foreign forces are controlled? I request this Committee to go to Mandera and see the reality for themselves and the suffering that the people of Mandera are facing. I thank you. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}