Wajir East MP Abass Sheikh Mohamed wants the Kenya-Somalia border opened to allow free movement of goods and services.
He said the “official but unpractical” closure of the border has led to trafficking of contraband and weapons. Kenya shares an 800km-long border with Somalia. This stretches from Kiunga in Lamu to Mandera.
Mohamed urged the government to establish offices for revenue, immigration and standards agencies to ensure proper inspection and taxation of inbound products. “This will generate revenue. Above all, it will bar contraband and illegal weapons,” he told the Star on the phone yesterday.
Wajir East shares a long, unmanned border with Somalia and al Shabaab militia roam freely along it. In the past, the group has attacked Kenya security officers in Gerille in Wajir East and Diif in Wajir South.
“Enough is enough. We must allow free movement of goods and services, and ensure we know whom and what we are dealing with,” the legislator said.
“Businesses should be able to have warehouses and trade in legally recognised goods. In any case, the border is officially closed, but technically open and porous.”
Goods worth millions of shillings, mainly sugar and textile products, come into Kenya through the border. A major KDF camp is near Gerille, 20km from the border. The legislator urged the government to strengthen security.
Al Shabaab attacks have increased since October 16, 2011, when Kenya sent its troops into Somalia, under Operation Linda Nchi. This followed kidnappings and cross-border assaults by the terror group.