[The move is aimed at containing the infiltration of the Al Shabaab militia, who have time and again gained entry into the country using the porous borders]
The government will fast-track the construction of a security wall on the Kenya-Somalia border to contain infiltration by Al-Shabaab militants.
Mandera County Commissioner Fredrick Shisia said the construction of the 700km security wall resumed last month after the project stalled for close to two years.
Speaking at the border point after inspecting construction, Mr Shisia said the wall will be manned by the Kenya Defence Forces soldiers who are already on the ground.
The security wall will stop unwanted persons from illegally entering into Kenya and it will only be crossed by entering through the appropriate border points.
“Terror hot spot areas such as Fino, Omar Jillow and Arabia will be shielded from frequent attacks as they are less than 20km from the border with Somalia,” said the commissioner.
Major General KT Chepkuto who is in charge of the project said the security wall is part of the government’s response to terror attacks by the Somalia-based Al-Shabaab.
Mr Chepkuto said construction has resumed and the government has bought all materials needed to build the wall.
“My men will be providing security and expertise for the project. I want to thank the leaders led by Governor Ali Roba for the moral and political good will they have given to my team since the KDF took over from the National Youth Service,” said the army general.