Kenya: President Ruto Announces Reopening of Somalia Border

Kenya will officially reopen its border with Somalia in April 2026, President William Ruto announced in the northeastern town of Mandera, ending a closure that has lasted 15 years due to security threats linked to al-Shabaab.

Speaking during a visit to the region, William Ruto said the prolonged shutdown had hurt local economies and disrupted cross-border trade.

“We cannot trade with closed borders,” Ruto declared, adding that his government would deploy enhanced security measures to protect traders and residents once the frontier reopens.

Kenya first closed parts of its border with Somalia in 2011 following a surge in attacks blamed on the militant group al-Shabaab, which is affiliated with al-Qaeda. The closure was aimed at curbing the movement of fighters and illegal goods, but it also severely impacted communities in counties such as Mandera, Wajir and Garissa that rely heavily on cross-border commerce.

For years, traders in northeastern Kenya have complained that the shutdown crippled livestock markets, disrupted supply chains and raised the cost of basic goods. Informal crossings continued despite the restrictions, often exposing residents to additional security risks.

Ruto said the reopening will be accompanied by what he described as “heavy security,” including strengthened border patrols and surveillance to ensure safe movement of goods and people. Officials have not yet detailed the exact framework, but security agencies are expected to coordinate closely with their Somali counterparts.

The decision signals a shift in Nairobi’s approach toward balancing security concerns with economic integration in the Horn of Africa. Kenya has in recent years increased diplomatic engagement with Mogadishu while continuing counter-terrorism operations against al-Shabaab.

Residents in Mandera welcomed the announcement cautiously, expressing hope that restored trade will revive struggling businesses. Others voiced concern about whether security arrangements will be sufficient to prevent renewed militant infiltration.

The border reopening is expected to take effect in April, though authorities say implementation will depend on final security assessments and operational readiness on both sides of the frontier.