Mandera Authorities Silent While Sultan Orders Wolayta Ethiopians To Leave Kenya Amidst Rising Violence Image By Mandera County Government
BBC Verifies Death Threats Against Ethnic Wolaita Community and other Ethiopians in Mandera, Kenya, as Local Authorities Retreat into Silence Following WT Media Investigation
MANDERA, KENYA – The humanitarian crisis in Kenya’s northeastern border town of Mandera has escalated to a “state of high alarm” following a series of exclusive investigations by WT Media and a new verification report by BBC Amharic.
Despite mounting international pressure, local authorities remain silent, while the Sultan of the Mandera Elders has officially confirmed that a forced displacement order is currently in effect.
The Sultan’s Admission: “They Must Move”
In a groundbreaking series of exclusive interviews with WT Media, Sultan Yussuf, the Chairman of the Mandera Somali Community Elders, shifted from initial denial to a full confirmation of the expulsion decree.
While the Sultan insisted that “no one can damage” the Wolaita, he explicitly stated that the community has been “told to move… to go back to their land.” He justified this illegal ultimatum by claiming the Wolaita are “unconstitutional” and that local Somalis “cannot avoid to sleep with” them.
Critically, the Sultan admitted that this is not a unanimous community decision, acknowledging that many Somali business owners in the market actually support the Wolaita for their hard work, but are being silenced by the elders’ decree.
BBC Amharic Confirms Death Threats and “Stonings”
A report published today, January 24, 2026, by BBC Amharic has further validated WT Media’s initial findings. According to the BBC, Ethiopian refugees, many who have lived in Mandera for over 14 years are now being told they will be “stoned to death” if they remain past the upcoming deadline.
Key revelations from the BBC report include:
- Organized Incitement: Trucks equipped with loudspeakers are reportedly patrolling Mandera, broadcasting messages that the Wolaita must leave or face the consequences.
- Extortion and Arrests: Residents report that police are arresting Ethiopians and demanding bribes of up to 20,000 Shillings for their release.
- A Targeted Killing: The current campaign reportedly intensified after an Ethiopian national was recently murdered in an area called Burabur. The locals reportedly refused to allow the body to be sent back to Ethiopia for burial.
- Economic Motive: The BBC confirmed WT Media’s report that local leaders are using the expulsion to avoid paying months of back-wages to Wolaita workers.
The Wall of Silence: Authorities Refuse to Comment
As the January 24th – February 5th deadline window approaches, the officials responsible for law and order in Mandera have retreated into silence.
WT Media made repeated attempts to reach the following officials for comment on the Sultan’s admissions and the BBC’s findings:
- Hon. Feisal Abdinoor (MCA, Mandera Township)
- Mr. Chacha (County Commissioner & Head of Security)
Despite multiple phone calls and messages, both officials failed to respond. This refusal to comment comes even as the Ethiopian Embassy in Nairobi told the BBC it is “closely following the situation” and has alerted the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A Violation of the 2021 Refugee Act
Under the Kenya Refugee Act 2021, the actions of the Mandera Elders are a flagrant violation of both national and international law. The principle of non-refoulement prohibits the forced return of refugees to a territory where their lives are at risk.
Furthermore, the Sultan’s admission that they are bypassing the police because they “don’t want all that to take to the police” suggests a deliberate attempt to subvert the Kenyan justice system in favor of mob rule.
The “Final Warning” Video
The crisis escalated on January 19, 2026, when Kulan Post published a video featuring an official announcement from a coalition of local Somali elders, religious scholars, and representatives claiming the backing of both County and National government officials.
In the video, translated by WT Media, a spokesperson issues a chilling ultimatum: “It has been formally agreed that the people known as the Wolaita must leave. By February, 5/2026, they must be out from among us. If they are seen after that date, action will be taken.”
The decree explicitly warns local residents against hosting the community, labeling the Wolayta a “threat” to local Islamic religion, culture, and the economy. The speaker describes the move as a “final warning” to clear the town of the community’s presence.
Call to Action
WT Media urgently calls upon the Kenyan Ministry of Interior, the UNHCR, and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) to:
- Halt the Expulsion: Immediately intervene to stop the implementation of the January 5th deadline.
- Protect Hard-Earned Assets: Ensure that Wolayta laborers are paid their withheld wages and that their businesses are protected from looting.
- Ensure Safety: Deploy neutral security forces to Mandera to protect the Wolaita community from mob violence or arbitrary removal.
The situation in Mandera is no longer just a local dispute; it is a test of Kenya’s commitment to international human rights and the rule of law. While the Wolaita community continues to contribute to the region’s economy through tireless labor and entrepreneurship, they are being met with state-sanctioned hostility and communal threats.
If the Kenyan government and international humanitarian agencies fail to intervene, the “final warning” issued in Mandera may soon transform into a humanitarian catastrophe that stains the region for years to come. The world is watching, and for the families hiding in the shadows of Mandera, time is running out.
WT Media will continue to broadcast this story until the safety of the 10,000+ Ethiopians in Mandera is guaranteed by the National Government of Kenya.
News Source – WT Media
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