President William Ruto announced the reopening of the Kenya-Somalia border in April 2026, after a 15-year shutdown. This decision aims to integrate the North-Eastern counties and revitalize cross-border trade, which was previously halted due to security concerns over Al-Shabaab incursions.

• The border, including official crossings in Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, and Lamu, was closed in 2012.
• President Ruto made the announcement in Mandera and Wajir counties while disbursing Sh120 million in grants to 5,000 youths.
• The Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo previously confirmed the National Security Council's decision to reopen the border for miraa trade.