Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot has stirred controversy after boldly calling for the closure of the American military base in Wajir County. Aukot directed his remarks to former US President Donald Trump, arguing that Kenya’s sovereignty cannot be compromised by hosting foreign troops without accountability.
In a fiery post shared on Facebook, Aukot questioned the legality and transparency of the Wajir facility, insisting it serves American interests while exposing Kenyan citizens to unnecessary risks.
His statement, already trending online, has sparked debate on the role of foreign soldiers in local security matters see full post here.
According to Aukot, Kenya has continued to rely on foreign powers instead of building its own capacity through CDF boss General Kahariri and the national forces. He accused past governments of signing lopsided deals that only benefit Washington while leaving locals in Wajir, Garissa, and Mandera feeling marginalized and unsafe.
The lawyer-turned-politician further challenged President William Ruto’s administration to reveal the terms of the agreement that allowed the US to operate from Wajir. He said Kenyans deserve to know whether their land is being used to advance global wars that have little to do with national security.
Political observers believe Aukot’s bold statement could reignite old debates around sovereignty, especially as Kenya deepens security cooperation with the West. His remarks come at a sensitive moment when Ruto’s government is also expanding its ties with European allies in counterterrorism and defense training.
While some Kenyans online praised Aukot for “speaking truth to power,” others dismissed his call as unrealistic, arguing that foreign troops play a critical role in the fight against Al-Shabaab.
The debate has only sharpened the spotlight on northern Kenya, an area that has long carried the weight of insecurity yet feels forgotten in national decision-making.
Whether his demand gains political traction or fades into another social media storm, Aukot has placed Wajir firmly at the center of Kenya’s security conversation.
By Newshub