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{
    "id": 882972,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/882972/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 212,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mandera North, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Major (Rtd.) Bashir S. Abdullaih",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13417,
        "legal_name": "Bashir Sheikh Abdullah",
        "slug": "bashir-sheikh-abdullah"
    },
    "content": "(v) The security border wall will enhance security in ensuring that only desirable persons and goods are allowed into the country through gazetted entry points and this needs to be opened. (vi) There is need for the Government to open the Kenya-Somalia Border. This will lead to improvement in revenue collection when movement of persons, goods and services are regulated. The National Youth Service (NYS) upon handing over the project to the Ministry of Defence, abandoned a number of equipment relating to the construction works in Mandera Town. The insecurity in Mandera Town has relatively affected economic activities in Mandera County. On the basis of the position made by the Committee, it recommended that the Government should fast-track the completion of the Kenya-Somalia Border Project. The Ministry of Defence should come up with a comprehensive budget plan and a realistic timeline for the completion of the project. The Government should open the border and customs office so as to allow legal trade and enable it to collect taxes. The concept of border security management should be strengthened to adopt a multi-agency approach to bring on board as many relevant agencies as possible for an effective border management and control. On completion of the project, the Government should establish a border patrol force to enhance rapid response capabilities. The Government should provide adequate security in Mandera County and other areas within northern Kenya to enable residents to carry on with economic activities such as quarrying. The NYS should make arrangements to ensure that all the abandoned equipment that was to be used in the construction of the project in Mandera Town is returned as soon as possible. The Committee visited Mandera Town on a stretch that construction of the border wall was ongoing. At the time of our Report, we were not able to provide details of the amounts of money so far spent. Initially, that project was undertaken by the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government. It started in 2015 but, unfortunately, the Ministry was unable to continue due to lack of capacity and the project was handed over to the Ministry of Defence. The border between Kenya and Somalia stretches about 700 kilometers. The border project is segmented in three areas; the northern sector covering Mandera - Elwak 160 kilometers, Central Sector which is Elwak-Libat, 445 kilometers and the southern sector with is Libat-Kiunga, 105 kilometers. As at the time of our visit to Mandera, we were only able to view a small stretch that is within the town. A number of areas were not covered. However, both KDF and the contractors informed the Committee that the pace of the works and the activities that were being carried out was slow because of attacks on the contractors, their lives and equipment by Al Shabaab terrorists. The project will be viable when the entire stretch is covered and the surveillance measures put in place. It might require huge amounts of money. It is not an easy engagement. However, ultimately, if covered well, all the way from Mandera to Kiunga, the residents of Mandera, Wajir and Garissa counties will get some semblance of security. Nevertheless, the wall itself will not be a panacea; it will require efforts both from the local communities, government agencies and everybody involved in that aspect. Remember we also discussed issues of pastoralism where we asked what happens to the animals. It was agreed that the entire thing will not be covered by just walls but issues of surveillance and having access roads and patrols will be taken into consideration. It is not about putting a wall all the way from Mandera to Kiunga, but certain sections should be covered by surveillance, patrol of roads and ensuring that the communities are engaged. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposes only. Acertified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}