A tense standoff is unfolding in Masalani, on the border between Garissa and Tana River counties, as local residents raise alarm over what they describe as renewed encroachment by “Pokomo communities” crossing over from Tana River County.
For years, the two counties have been locked in a dispute over the colonial-era three‑mile boundary strip, a stretch of land whose unclear demarcation has continuously caused friction. But residents now say that the situation has escalated, prompting them to openly call on authorities to intervene or step aside if they cannot.
According to community members on the ground, recent movements from groups linked to Tana River County have sparked concern about an “invasion” of grazing and settlement areas historically used by Garissa pastoralist families. Locals warn that such activities are heightening tension in a region already burdened by previous land clashes, disrupted access to water points, and long-standing grievances tied to historical injustices.
In the wake of the mounting tensions along the Garissa–Tana River boundary, residents of Masalani say they feel increasingly vulnerable as reports of encroachment and rising hostility continue to surface. Many community members express frustration over what they view as a lack of decisive intervention from authorities, warning that the situation is deteriorating and pushing them closer to taking matters into their own hands. Their concern reflects the growing sense of insecurity spreading across villages that lie closest to the disputed areas, where residents say the threat has become too immediate to ignore.
The dispute is further complicated by multiple active court cases and political statements from leaders in both counties. Garissa leaders have repeatedly accused their neighbors of slowly expanding settlements into contested zones, while Tana River leaders insist they are operating within their rightful territorial space. This back‑and‑forth has left communities feeling anxious, unprotected, and uncertain about what comes next.
Residents in Masalani now say they are reaching a breaking point. Some argue that if security agencies cannot decisively address the situation, they should allow local communities to “defend themselves” against what they view as an existential threat to their land and livelihoods.
“We are asking the Government to step aside for a while so that we can defend ourselves and send all pokomo people out of Ijara district,” Said Jamal Ahmed, a resident of Masalani.
The latest developments underscore how fragile the situation remains along this border, where administrative ambiguity, natural resource scarcity, and historical trauma continue to fuel mistrust.
Report by: Osman Hussein Ali
