Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has blamed complex
land ownership issues for the delay in setting up a permanent Kenya Defence
Forces (KDF) base in Turkana East.
Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Defence,
Intelligence and Foreign Relations on Tuesday, Tuya said the targeted land is
under communal tenure.
He said this means it then requires multiple approvals from
county authorities and the National Land Commission (NLC).
“We have faced delays because the land belongs to the
community, and is held under communal tenure, requiring county government
facilitation and National Land Commission processing,” Tuya told MPs.
She added that talks with the Turkana County Government are
ongoing to fast-track the allocation, enabling the military to establish a
permanent base to deter cross-border attacks.
“Discussions with the Turkana County Government are ongoing
to fast-track allocation so that KDF can have a permanent presence and deter
future incursions.”
Tuya assured lawmakers that border security is being
maintained through alternative measures.
“Border security is not entirely dependent on land
acquisition, but having a permanent base will improve rapid response. In the
meantime, we have deployed mobile detachments to strategic points along the
border,” she said.
Following the February 2025 Todonyang attack, the ministry
has boosted police units in Turkana East and increased helicopter patrols.
“We are committed to increasing military presence and
improving rapid response capacity. The security of Kenyans is our top
priority,” Tuya stated.
She said the government has also reinforced security posts
and improved information-sharing among agencies to ensure continuous operations
as the base plans are finalised.
“This is to ensure security operations continue as we
finalise the base establishment process,” she told the committee.
Tuya highlighted additional actions taken following the Todonyang attack in February 2025, including boosting police units in Turkana East and increasing aerial patrols using helicopters.
