Government scales up border security over crisis in neighbouring countries

The government has scaled up border security over crisis in neighbouring countries, including Ethiopia which is under a state of emergency.

In a statement, National Police Service spokesperson, Bruno Isohi Shioso, said Kenya as an immediate neighbor to some of the affected countries, may be adversely impacted on by the consequences of the events.

“The Government of Kenya notes with concerns recent and unfolding events that disturbs the peace and stability in neighboring countries and the greater East Africa region. The National Police Service has heightened security and vigilance along the Kenyan boarders and in other critical areas,” stated Bruno.

Bruno has advised Kenyans to exercise vigilance and to practice caution in their surroundings.

Further, he directed that suspected cases of undocumented aliens and unprocessed immigrants in the country should be immediately reported to the nearest police station.

Ethiopia’s cabinet yesterday declared a nationwide state of emergency effective immediately as fighters from the northern region of Tigray threatened to march towards Addis Ababa.

The move came after the Tigrayan fighters said they had captured the strategic towns of Dessie and Kombolcha in the neighbouring Amhara region in recent days, and also indicated they might advance further south, on Addis Ababa.

The government said soldiers were still battling for control for the two key towns, some 400km (250 miles) from the capital.

Much of northern Ethiopia is under a communications blackout and access for journalists is restricted, making battlefield claims difficult to verify independently.

In Sudan, takeover leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, announced a state of emergency, saying the armed forces needed to protect safety and security.

He also dissolved the military-civilian Sovereign Council set up to guide Sudan to democracy following the overthrow of long-ruling autocrat Omar al-Bashir in April 2019.

At least seven people were killed in unrest triggered by the military takeover, which brought a halt to Sudan’s transition to democracy two years after a popular uprising ended decades of authoritarian rule.

raises deteriorating security situation in the East African region