In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the political and security establishment, Kenya’s top intelligence official has confirmed that a foreign armed group is occupying parts of Kenyan territory near the Ethiopia border.
Appearing before Parliament on Monday, Noordin Haji, Director-General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), revealed that the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA)—an armed rebel group from Ethiopia—is no longer merely conducting cross-border raids but has entrenched itself within Kenyan territory.
“In Ethiopia, the Oromo Liberation Army is occupying our land… we cannot ignore this anymore,” Haji said, addressing the Defence and Foreign Relations Committee of the National Assembly. His comments signal a major shift in the government’s stance on a crisis that had previously been characterized as a series of minor infiltrations.
The revelation suggests that Kenya is facing not just border insecurity but a potential territorial encroachment, raising serious concerns over national sovereignty, defense preparedness, and regional stability.
Rising Tensions in Moyale
In recent weeks, the town of Moyale, located along the volatile Kenya-Ethiopia border, has become the focal point of armed clashes between Kenyan security forces and suspected OLA fighters. What were once dismissed as isolated skirmishes are now described as full-scale engagements, highlighting the increasing presence and organization of the rebel militia within Kenyan borders.
In response, the government has launched Operation Ondoa Jangili, a large-scale security operation aimed at flushing out militant networks in Isiolo, Marsabit, and other northern frontier regions long affected by criminal activity and transnational armed groups.
A Web of Cross-Border Threats
Haji’s report also pointed to broader regional instability. From Uganda, Kenya faces incursions by Karamojong cattle raiders, while from South Sudan, the illegal flow of weapons continues to fuel insecurity. Though Tanzania was not mentioned as a current threat, the overall message was stark: “Kenya is surrounded.”
Who Are the OLA?
The Oromo Liberation Army emerged from the long-standing Oromo struggle in Ethiopia and has gained notoriety for its use of guerrilla tactics, ambushes, assassinations, and kidnappings. The Ethiopian government considers the OLA a terrorist organization, and its growing influence near and within Kenyan territory poses a serious challenge for both nations.
While Addis Ababa battles the OLA in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, its fighters appear to have shifted part of their operations into Kenyan border zones, exploiting porous frontiers and local grievances to establish a foothold.
A Wake-Up Call for Kenya?
Haji’s candid briefing may mark a turning point in Kenya’s border security policy. For years, local leaders and residents in northern counties have warned of increasing lawlessness and rebel activity, often with little response. Now, with confirmation from the highest levels of national intelligence, the government faces growing pressure to act decisively.
The possibility that Kenyan land is under de facto foreign occupation, even temporarily, is unprecedented in the country’s modern history. Parliament is expected to debate emergency measures, and military reinforcements are reportedly being sent to bolster northern outposts.
As the situation evolves, one question looms large:
Has Kenya lost control of part of its territory—or can it reclaim it before the crisis deepens further?