Trade and Industrialization Cabinet Secretary Aden Mohamed has called on interior cabinet secretary Fred Matiang'i and border agencies to reconsider reopening the Mandera border post warning that the government was losing one billion shillings every year as revenue.Speaking in Mandera town together with devolution CS Eugine Wamalwa who letter toured the border post says the border restriction has denied businesses to residents of both countries saying security will be considered in normalizing operations around the border.His sentiments were echoed by Devolution Cs Eugine Wamalwa who promised to deliver the message to Cs Matiang who is in charge of interior and coordination to reconsider reopening the border.The government closed the border with Somalia late last year, following a wave of attacks in Mandera by suspected al Shabaab militants.
Following the closure, the government ordered strict monitoring of unaccustomed goods from Somalia.
Security agents and customs officials were put on high alert to prevent Somali traders from smuggling goods through the porous border.Mohamed says the government to establish offices for revenue, immigration and standards agencies to ensure proper inspection and taxation of inbound products.The closure has led to an inflow of contraband goods and illegal weapons.
Kenya shares the 800km-long border with Somalia, stretching from Kiunga in Lamu to Mandera.