Mandera Border Post to Reopen in April as Ruto Unveils Trade, Youth Empowerment Boost

 President William Ruto has announced that the Mandera Border Post will reopen in April, ending a prolonged closure that disrupted cross-border trade and separated families between Kenya and Somalia.

Speaking during a development tour of the county, President Ruto said the reopening would restore normalcy, enhance regional integration, and unlock economic opportunities for residents who depend on cross-border commerce.

“It is unacceptable that Kenyans in Mandera remain cut off due to the closure of the border post. We will reopen it in April to revive trade and reconnect communities,” the President said.

To tackle persistent electricity shortages in the county, the Head of State said the government will install a three-megawatt generator as an immediate intervention, while fast-tracking plans to connect Mandera to the Ethiopian power grid for a long-term and sustainable power solution.

On drought response, President Ruto affirmed that food relief distribution will continue across the Northern Frontier counties, alongside the provision of animal feed to safeguard livestock, the backbone of the region’s economy.

During the visit, the President presided over the disbursement of Sh63 million under the NYOTA Business Start-Up Capital programme at Mandera Stadium. A total of 2,520 youth beneficiaries received funding aimed at stimulating entrepreneurship, job creation, and grassroots economic growth.

Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif welcomed the national government’s interventions, saying they complement the county’s ongoing development initiatives in education, environmental conservation, healthcare, and infrastructure.

The visit signals renewed focus on boosting trade, youth empowerment, and socio-economic transformation in Kenya’s frontier counties.