Kenya’s border with Somalia is set to reopen in April, nearly 15 years after it was closed due to attacks by the Islamist militant group al-Shabab.
President William Ruto announced the decision during a visit to the border town of Mandera, stating that the reopening would boost cross-border trade and benefit the local population.
The move follows years of security assessments and a heavy deployment of security forces to ensure safety.
The border closure, implemented in 2011, had significantly impacted trade and relations between Kenya and Somalia.
Al-Shabab has been responsible for several deadly attacks in Kenya, including the 2013 Westgate mall attack and the 2015 Garissa University attack.
Despite previous attempts to reopen the border, security concerns had delayed the process.
Ruto urged residents of Mandera to join forces with the government to combat al-Shabab, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in ensuring regional security.
The reopening is expected to revive economic activities and strengthen ties between Kenya and Somalia.
