Among them are hundreds — perhaps more — of individuals suffering from serious mental illness, left unsupported by health systems, isolated by their families and, in many heartbreaking cases, physically restrained, abandoned or locked away.

Inside the three-camp expanse of Dadaab (including Dagahaley Refugee Camp, Hagadera Refugee Camp and Ifo Refugee Camp) the burden of trauma and mental disorders is acute.

According to aid groups, the number of consultations for psychosocial distress has soared by 50 % or more.

A report from local news outlet Wardheer News reveals:

“Hundreds of people with mental illnesses … are being locked up, left to roam, or otherwise abandoned in the Somali refugee camps in Dadaab…”

The story of one family brings the crisis into sharp relief: two brothers, Ali Isaaq Ali (40) and Mohamed Isaaq Ali (35), both unmedicated and untreated, are being cared for by their elderly 70-year-old mother. The mother says that one son is locked away in a crude shelter, tied up under a tree; the other wanders the hut, neglected.

Many refugees arrived after witnessing extreme violence, loss of family, and enduring the hardships of displacement. Such trauma is a major contributor to severe mental-health problems in the camp.

Clinics exist, for example the mental-health wing run by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Dagahaley, but the services are largely outpatient, with virtually no capacity for inpatient care or long-term psychiatric treatment.

Where there is no safe, accessible treatment, families often resort to chaining, locking or isolating relatives with severe mental illness — seen by some as a protective measure when the person becomes violent or wanderers.

For instance:

“These patients … are those ones that somebody can see they want to fight back, they want to run away and they are in chains.” — psychologist in Dadaab.

With reductions in food rations, employment bans and little hope of durable solutions, the psychological strain is worsening. In Dagahaley, there were multiple suicide attempts linked to the relentless despair.

The practise of chaining or locking persons with mental illness is flagged as a serious human rights violation. Campaigners say it further compounds the illness, inflicts physical trauma and deepens exclusion.

In one case, MSF reports a young woman living with schizophrenia who was chained to her house by her brother because she repeatedly wandered into the market and had been raped — he claimed the chain was to protect her from further abuse.

The limited outpatient model isn’t sufficient for persons with severe and chronic disorders. Funding to expand beds, trained personnel and psychiatric medications is critical.

Cultural beliefs around mental illness and lack of skills mean many carers do not know alternative practices to chaining. Community-based psychosocial programmes can change narratives and provide better coping mechanisms.

Kenyan authorities and refugee agencies must institute safeguards against inhumane treatment of persons with disabilities; ensure that restraint is only used in strictly defined emergency situations, and even then minimally.

The absence of durable solutions — resettlement, integration, return — fuels despair. Without avenues for a future, mental-health burdens will only rise. The languishing of asylum status and aid cuts must be addressed.

“The reason he’s locked up is that he tries to kill me… He has never received any medical attention… I have no money for medical treatment, I’m old and I cannot cope.” — Mother in Dadaab caring for two ill sons.

“In Dagahaley, the number of attempted suicides is rising… the meagre humanitarian assistance they depend on has been further reduced amid donor concerns of widening funding gaps.” — MSF report

What is happening in Dadaab is not simply a medical concern — it is a profound moral test. If individuals with mental illness in the world’s largest refugee complex are left chained, alone and untreated, we risk consigning entire lives to misery and violation.

The world watches as children of war and disaster — already survivors — are re-victimised by neglect. The question is: will the humanitarian, health and government systems currently in place move fast enough to restore dignity, treatment and hope?

The post Plight of the Forgotten: Mentally Ill Refugees Locked, Chained and Abandoned in Dadaab Refugee Complex appeared first on Kaab TV.

According to a statement issued by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the plot was disrupted following timely intelligence from the local community regarding eight militants who were assembling improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along the busy route between Welmerer and Yumbis in Garissa County.

Upon receiving the tip-off, the SOG mobilised immediately, engaged the suspects in a brief exchange of fire and succeeded in recovering fully assembled IEDs that were about to be deployed against civilians and security personnel.

The explosives were safely removed, and the intended terror plot was neutralised before any detonation occurred.

Security officials have publicly commended local residents for their alertness and cooperation, emphasising that the swift reporting of suspicious activity was instrumental in averting the attack.

The SOG reiterated that continued community-security collaboration remains a cornerstone of Kenya’s counter-terrorism strategy.

Garissa County, which lies close to the Kenya–Somalia border, has long been considered a hotspot for militant infiltration and attacks by Al-Shabaab.

The porous border and challenging terrain have allowed militants to cross into Kenya, plant explosives, target security convoys and civilian vehicles, and retreat back into Somalia.

In response, Kenya has stepped up operations in the northeastern region, deploying specialised units like the SOG, employing intelligence and aerial surveillance, and enhancing community-based reporting mechanisms.

The disruption of this plot underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations when supported by local cooperation.

It sends a strong message that militants’ attempts to use roads, transport routes and remote border areas to sow terror are being countered.

It also reinforces the value of community-police partnerships in detecting early indicators of radicalisation or logistic-preparation of attacks.

This incident highlights that while large-scale attacks may grab headlines, many of the most dangerous plots begin quietly — planting of IEDs, reconnaissance, placement of explosives — and such activity must be disrupted proactively.

The post Successful Foiling of Terror Plot in Garissa, Kenya: SOG Thwarts IED Attack by al-Shabaab appeared first on Kaab TV.

According to police sources, the officers, part of the Border Patrol Unit, were traveling in a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle when they hit the explosive device during a routine patrol. The blast occurred shortly after the team had engaged a group of suspected Al-Shabaab militants believed to be operating in the area.

The explosion was followed by an ambush, as the militants opened fire on the immobilized officers. A second vehicle, a Land Cruiser carrying reinforcement personnel, arrived quickly at the scene and managed to evacuate the injured officers from the burning MRAP under hostile conditions.

The injured officers were rushed to a local health facility for emergency medical care. Police later confirmed that they were stabilized before being airlifted to Nairobi for further treatment. Officials have not released the identities of the injured, but they confirmed that all eight suffered serious injuries.

The attackers are believed to have fled into the nearby bushland, taking advantage of the terrain and darkness. Security forces have since launched a manhunt, with multi-agency teams deployed to pursue the assailants. The area remains under close surveillance.

Garissa County, which borders Somalia, has experienced repeated attacks from Al-Shabaab, a Somali-based militant group that frequently targets Kenyan security forces and civilians near the porous border. The latest attack is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by the group.

Police spokesperson Michael Muchiri confirmed the incident, noting that despite intensified security operations in the region, terrorist threats persist. He emphasized that the government remains committed to neutralizing such threats and restoring long-term stability in border counties.

“This was a cowardly act meant to instill fear, but we are not backing down. Operations will continue, and we are tracking those responsible,” said Muchiri.

Security officials also noted that recent operations have disrupted Al-Shabaab networks and reduced the frequency of attacks. However, they cautioned that the threat remains high, particularly in remote areas where militants exploit the terrain and lack of infrastructure.

The instability in neighboring Somalia, which has lacked a stable central government for decades, continues to create a safe haven for extremist groups. This instability frequently spills over into Kenyan territory, complicating security efforts.

Residents of Garissa expressed relief following the swift response from security forces, but many remain anxious about the continued presence of militants in the region.

Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities as efforts to dismantle terror cells continue.

The post Eight Officers Injured in Al-Shabaab IED Attack in Garissa appeared first on Kaab TV.

According to local officials, the explosion occurred in an area frequently used by Kenyan security convoys. The apparent target of the attack was a military unit operating in the region, but the landmine instead hit a civilian vehicle, leading to tragic consequences.

The deceased have been identified as Mohamed Shabeel Bashir and Abdiqadir Mohamud Salad, who were reportedly en route to Bodhai, a remote area under Garissa County. Authorities believe they were inadvertently caught in the blast meant for Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) personnel.

Speaking to the press, Bodhai Governor Dubat Mohamed condemned the attack and expressed his condolences to the victims’ families. “It is a deeply saddening incident,” said Governor Mohamed. “Our preliminary investigations suggest that the explosive was intended for our security forces, who frequently patrol this road. We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or items they encounter.”

Governor Mohamed also emphasized the ongoing efforts by security forces to secure the region and prevent future attacks. “Our teams are currently combing the area for other possible threats. We ask for the community’s full cooperation as we work to restore safety.”

This tragic incident comes just a week after a similar landmine attack in Mandera, another town in Kenya’s northeastern region. That explosion, which was detected in time by Kenyan forces, also highlighted the increasing threat posed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the region.

Al-Shabaab, which has carried out numerous attacks in Kenya over the past decade, continues to target both civilian and military entities, especially in border regions. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to enhancing security measures and curbing the influence of extremist groups in affected areas.

The post Deadly Landmine Explosion in Garissa Kills Two Civilians, Injures Several Others appeared first on Kaab TV.

The group was armed with eight AK-47 rifles, a shoulder-fired RPG and a PKM rifle, which were seized by army officers. The soldiers also handed over 826 rounds of ammunition.

The KDF initially received information that soldiers from the neighboring country were on their way to Garabey area in Hulugho.

A joint military team led by Major Ali Mohammed of the KDF moved to the site, where they found the soldiers sitting and waiting for further instructions.

Various guns

One of the defected soldiers, named Abdi Dekoo, 22 years old, from Kolbio area, was armed with an AK-47 rifle with 30 rounds, while Mohamed Sambul Ali, 35 years old, from Garissa town, carrying a shoulder-fired RPG and three missile warheads.

“The reasons for their departure were said to be the hardship and discrimination they faced from their leaders in the Somali National Army. All the weapons were handed over to KDF commander Hulugho,” said a police report.

There is no news so far from the KDF command in Nairobi and SNA regarding these latest events.

Sources say that the Somali citizens will be sent back to Mogadishu, while the Kenyans will be questioned for further action.

The area they escaped from, in Jubaland, was already the scene of clashes between the local forces and the SNA. The clashes stemmed from disputed elections in the state.

Regional forces

In the middle of December last year, the forces of the Jubaland regional administration clashed with the forces of the National Army in Raskamboni, while the Jubaland government later said that they had defeated the SNA forces.

About 240 SNA soldiers, including their commander, surrendered, while about 300 others fled to Kenya, handing over their weapons to the KDF. Jubaland forces also took over the camp and set fire to some of the vehicles there.

Dozens of SNA soldiers have been pictured seeking refuge in a Kenyan security checkpoint in the border town of Ishiakani amid ongoing armed clashes in the Raskambooni area between government forces. the federal and regional governments of Jubaland.

These soldiers were later taken to Mogadishu with their weapons.

The Somali National Army has officially announced its withdrawal from the Lower Jubba region after the attack. They have also previously accused Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe of making a secret deal with Al-Shabaab, which has a strong presence in the Lower Jubba countryside, which allows the group to attack the SNA peacefully.

The tensions between the President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ahmed Madobe have been increasing in recent months, as the conflict is based on the results of the presidential election in Jubaland.

Additional security officers have been deployed to the Kenya-Somalia border to deal with the crisis caused by the clashes, in addition to international interventions to control the threat of terrorism.

The post Some Of The DF Soldiers Left For Kenya appeared first on Kaab TV.

He had originated the Kenya-Somalia main border with the product when police intercepted him in Garissa town.

Kenyan Police say some of the sugar being consumed locally is smuggled from the main Kenya-Somalia border which affects the local production of the product and business in general.

Cases of illegal importation of contraband products are on the rise amid police operations to address the same.

Kenyan Police officers from the Endebess Police Station in Trans-Nzoia county intercepted a lorry and seized a substantial haul of 32 drums of ethanol last week. The operation unfolded following a tip-off regarding a lorry suspected of transporting ethanol. The officers set up an ambush along the Suam-Kitale road, successfully stopping the vehicle.

Upon escorting the truck back to the Endebess Police Station in Trans-Nzoia county, a search revealed that the ethanol was cleverly concealed beneath 25 bags of maize and 20 bags of animal feed. The driver and his loader were taken into custody pending arraignment, Kenyan police said.

The seized ethanol drums were secured at the station pending further action from Kenya Revenue Authority officials which saw them take over the product.

Officials say some of those involved in the business bribe their way to be able to pass through many security checks. Others use unauthorized routes to evade detection by security agencies.

Multi-agency teams are involved in the war against contraband goods.

The post Police In Kenya Arrest Suspect and Recover 50 Bags of Contraband Sugar. appeared first on Kaab TV.