President William Ruto has announced the long-awaited reopening of the Kenya-Somalia border at Mandera, ending a 15-year shutdown that began in 2011 following repeated attacks by the militant group Al-Shabaab. The president made the announcement on February 12, 2026, during the NYOTA Capital Disbursement event at Mandera Stadium, citing years of consultations and comprehensive security assessments that have now cleared the way for resuming cross-border movement.
The prolonged closure had deeply affected communities along the frontier, separating families and disrupting livelihoods. Speaking to the gathered audience, Ruto said, “It is unacceptable that fellow Kenyans in Mandera remain cut off from their kin and neighbors in Somalia due to the prolonged closure of the Mandera border post.” He described the reopening as overdue and a critical step toward restoring economic and social connections between the two countries.
The Mandera border post was originally closed in October 2011 as part of heightened security measures aimed at curbing Al-Shabaab incursions into northern Kenya. The insurgent group, which has waged an ongoing campaign against Somalia’s federal government and targeted neighboring countries, had carried out multiple cross-border attacks, prompting the Kenyan authorities to suspend trade and movement along the frontier.
Under the newly announced plan, the border will reopen in April 2026, allowing residents to travel freely, reconnect with family members, and resume cross-border trade that has been hampered for more than a decade. The government expects this move to rejuvenate commerce and strengthen economic ties between communities in Mandera County and Somalia’s Beled Hawo region, historically a major conduit for goods and services in East Africa.
Previous efforts to reopen the border had faced setbacks. In May 2024, Kenya and Somalia agreed to gradually restore operations at three crossings, Mandera–Beled Hawo, Garissa–Liboi, and Wajir–Elwak, but progress stalled following a deadly attack in Garissa in June 2024, which killed eight police officers when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. Security concerns linked to Al-Shabaab forced the government to delay the reopening process.
Ruto’s latest announcement reflects improved security coordination and confidence in border management. Authorities have indicated that enhanced patrols, intelligence sharing, and surveillance measures have mitigated previous threats, allowing for a safer reopening. The government has emphasized that the move aligns with broader regional integration goals, including facilitating trade, supporting local economies, and fostering stability along the volatile northern frontier.
The reopening is expected to have wide-ranging benefits. Local traders, who have long faced logistical challenges and losses due to the closure, can now resume regular business, while families separated by the border for over a decade will have the opportunity to reconnect. Analysts note that the revival of trade routes could also enhance regional economic resilience, stimulate growth in border counties, and reinforce Kenya’s commitment to collaborative security measures with Somalia.
President Ruto’s decision comes amid growing calls from communities and business leaders to reopen critical trade corridors. The move is being hailed as a milestone in Kenya-Somalia relations, reflecting a renewed focus on regional stability, economic cooperation, and humanitarian considerations for affected populations. As cross-border movement resumes in April, authorities plan to closely monitor security conditions to ensure the border remains safe and functional.
With enhanced infrastructure, better security protocols, and renewed diplomatic engagement, the reopening of the Mandera border is expected to mark a new chapter in East African border management, balancing security concerns with socio-economic imperatives.
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